Gorontalo, Indonesia—The national disaster management agency, BNPB, issued an urgent directive today for all residents living along the coast of North Sulawesi and Gorontalo. The order follows the major seismic activity detected earlier this morning. The risk of a tsunami remains the primary concern for the thousands of families living in the low-lying zones along the coast.

Local sirens are continuously sounding to ensure the message reaches the most isolated villages. BNPB field officers are currently assisting the elderly and those with limited mobility to reach designated gathering points. The evacuation is being treated as a race against time before any potential wave impact.

Roads leading toward higher ground have been converted into one-way routes to maximize traffic flow. Police are stationed at key junctions to prevent incoming traffic from interfering with the evacuation. The agency has reported high levels of compliance from the local population so far.

The proximity of the epicenter makes the window for a potential tsunami arrival very narrow. Regional leaders have mobilized all available resources, including fishing boats and school buses, to transport people away from the shoreline. The goal is to clear the coastal strip entirely by midday.

There is significant anxiety among residents who are leaving their property and assets behind. BNPB has assured the public that security will be maintained by local authorities once the evacuation is complete. Looting prevention is a secondary concern for the task force currently on the ground.

Communication remains a challenge, with mobile networks oscillating between connectivity and complete silence. Satellite phones are being used by the command centers to maintain a link between the affected provinces. The logistical burden of moving such a large population is extreme.

Medical clinics in the highlands have been designated as temporary shelters. These facilities are receiving basic necessities via motorbike convoys. The agency is prioritizing the welfare of children and pregnant women as the primary focus of the transport efforts.

No waves have been confirmed at this time, but the agency maintains that the threat is active. All maritime activities in the Sulawesi Sea have been suspended until the danger passes. Residents remain under strict instructions not to return to the coast for any reason.