West Sumatran coastal residents worry about imminent earthquake

In Bengkulu province, authorities at provincial, regional and municipal levels had begun taking steps to prepare the public for a powerful earthquake and tsunami predicted to happen in December by Brazilian earthquake observer Prof Jucelino Nobrega da Luz.
"We expect all districts and municipalities in Bengkulu province to take all steps necessary to prepare the people for the earthquake and tsunami. We at provincial administration level will provide whatever assistance they need," Bengkulu Governor Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin said after a coordination meeting recently.
At the meeting attended also by Bengkulu province`s police chief, Brig Gen Soedibyo, military commander, Brig Gen Amril Amir, and Bengkulu City Mayor Ahmad Kanedi it was agreed the provincial administration would provide 5,000-watt power generators, bathing, washing, toilet and other facilities in a number of designated avacuation areas.