TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a tsunami early warning with a potential height of 0.5 to 3.0 meters in Banten and Lampung.

The warning was released after a strong earthquake with magnitude 7.4 rocked the southern coast of Banten on Friday night, August 2, 2019, at 19:03 WIB, or precisely at sea 7.54 degrees south latitude and 104.58 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The alert status (siaga) has been established in the areas of southern Pandeglang, Pandeglang Panaitan Island, and the southern coast of West Lampung as they have the potential of sea waters rising up to 3 meters.

Manwhile, the alert status (waspada) has been placed for the northern area of Pandeglang and Lebak, Banten with the potential of a 0.5-meter-high tsunami.

BMKG appealed to the public living in those areas with alert status (siaga) to remain vigilant. "Direct people for evacuation immediately," said Rahmat Triyono, the head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center, in a written statement, on Friday, August 2.

As for the people in the areas with the alert status (waspada), they are urged to stay away from beaches and river banks.

Until 20:22 WIB, the tsunami early warning has not been revoked yet.

ANWAR SISWADI