West Java quake reconstruction to begin in October: Govt

The government will begin post-earthquake reconstruction in West Java in October, National Disaster Management Agency head Syamsul Ma'arif said Wednesday.

“We’re verifying the damage reports from the [West Java] governor,” he said as quoted by Antara.

“We’re looking to finish the verification process in mid-October, then starting reconstruction soon after.”

The government plans to rebuild damaged homes by empowering affected communities, the same approach it applied for reconstruction projects in Yogyakarta after a powerful earthquake hit the province in 2006.

The government will allocate Rp 1.4 trillion (US$139.16 million) for the rehabilitation and reconstruction programs.

The 7.3-magnitude quake, centered off the coast of the West Java town of Tasikmalaya, hit 14 towns and regencies in West Java, killing 73 people and wounding more than 900 others.

Around 64,000 houses were severely damaged and at least 141,000 others moderately damaged. More than 1,100 schools and 230 administrative buildings were also damaged.