JAKARTA  Since last evening, state power company PLN has put out power in the Bigger Jakarta and Tangerang areas partially to avoid a total long-lasting blackout. The shortage of power is caused by the fact that a number of power plants is out of operation. Until this afternoon, PLN has rolling blackouts planned for these areas.

General Manager for power supplies across Java and Bali, Mulyo Adji, said that bad weather and high waves which have hit many parts of Indonesia for weeks now, have heavily disturbed supplies so that three steam plants that supply Java and Bali only have enough stock until Saturday. Mulyo Adji told over the telephone that a number of supply ships with coal are currently waiting in the area of Jepara. These ships can not be unloaded however because of the high waves.

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SINABANG  The number of casualties of the earthquake that shook parts of northern Sumatra and Aceh yesterday, has risen to six. Three new victims were found in Sinabang, the district capital of Simeulue. The identity of these victims is not clear yet. One of the three victims has already been taken from the local hospital for burial earlier today. Still, dozens of victims are brought to the hospital for their injuries.

A big number of residents in Sinabang is still afraid that there will be more earthquakes. During Thursday there indeed were a number of aftershocks, but these were not stronger than 5.5 on the Richter Scale. Sometimes there are aftershocks every five minutes. The first major earthquake has also caused damage to the local and regional infrastructure. The main road between the western and eastern part of the island is heavily damaged until the point that no traffic can use the road anymore at certain points.