Met Dept Has Put Sabah On Tsunami Watch After 24 Earthquakes In 2 Neighbouring Countries
Three people were killed after an earthquake hit Indonesia on Thursday.
By Sadho Ram — 13 Oct 2018, 11:46 AM
According to a report in The Star Online, at 1.30am on 11 October, Sabah was hit by a 1.2-magnitude quake, which was detected at a depth of 9km, with its epicentre located 13km northeast of Ranau
The quake prompted the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to work along with agencies in the Philippines and Indonesia to monitor seismic movements in the region around the clock, reported The Star Online.
MetMalaysia has reportedly been on alert for earthquake activities in two of its neighbouring countries, the Philippines and Indonesia.
As a result of recent earthquakes in the region, the department fears that a possible tsunami could sweep Sabah's coastline with little or no warning.
A 2015 photo shows people gathered on the road outside their homes in a village in Ranau, with Mount Kinabalu in the background, after an earthquake.
Image via Malay MailMetMalaysia has since put Sabah on tsunami watch, more so after two dozen earthquakes in Indonesia and the Philippines
"We are worried that an earthquake could take place in the middle of the sea, resulting in a tsunami which could engulf Sabah's northern or easterly coast towns.
"If we suspect any tsunami activity, we will issue immediate public warnings to alert residents of the possible danger and activate other emergency protocols," The Star Online quoted a MetMalaysia official as saying in its report today, 13 October.
On the day Sabah was hit by the 1.2-magnitude quake, a 6.0-magnitude quake struck Indonesia, killing at least three people
According to national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the victims in East Java's Sumenep district perished after being crushed by collapsed buildings.
"The earthquake happened early Thursday when they were sleeping and the quake suddenly rocked so they didn't have time to evacuate," Sutopo said.
Channel NewsAsia said the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 10km. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage.
