Strong Wind Damages Dozens of Houses in West Java and NTT, BNPB: Some Have Been Repaired

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded a strong wind event that hit a number of areas in Indonesia, especially West Java and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, causing hundreds of people to be affected and damage to dozens of houses and public facilities.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muharimengatakan that strong winds in Ciamis Regency, West Java, affected 137 local residents.

"Of these, three souls were reported to have fled to safer locations. Strong winds also caused damage to 44 residential units and four public facilities," he said in Jakarta, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

Abdul said that the Ciamis Regency BPBD had carried out material cleaning, distribution of logistical assistance, and repair of affected residents' houses to accelerate post-incident recovery.

A similar incident also occurred in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday, January 25, especially in Citeureup and Caringin Districts. A total of 90 residents were affected, with 16 people displaced to relatives' homes.

The BNPB's Pusdalops reported that the results of the data collection received were recorded as 15 houses were slightly damaged, eight units were moderately damaged, and three units were severely damaged.

Meanwhile, high-intensity post-rain strong winds also hit Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Saturday, January 24, which affected 188 people and caused three residents to be injured.

Abdul said that the strong wind damaged 43 units of residents' houses and BPBD Kupang City together with related institutions had handled the health of the victims, cleaned the material, and distributed basic necessities.

"Until now, some residents' houses have been completed," he said.

Due to the series of events, BNPB appealed to the public to increase vigilance against the potential for extreme weather, especially strong winds that can occur after heavy rain, and immediately report to local authorities if there are emergency conditions.