Strong Winds Hit Jember, 21 Houses Were Damaged

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Jember Regency, East Java Province was hit by strong winds on Friday, December 24 at 16.46 WIB. Today, it was recorded that as many as 21 houses were damaged with mild to severe levels.

"The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Jember Regency reported 2 units of houses were heavily damaged, 5 were moderately damaged and 14 were lightly damaged," said Plt. Head of the National Disaster Management Agency for Disaster Management, Abdul Muhari, in his statement, Saturday, December 25.

Abdul Muhari revealed that a number of damaged houses were caused by falling trees in the vicinity. BPBD Jember Regency noted that 19 families were affected by the incident and until now data collection is still being carried out in the field.

Strong winds also damaged two places of worship with moderate damage, and a warehouse was heavily damaged. A number of fallen trees occurred at several points, disrupting traffic flow and electricity networks at two points.

"Nevertheless, no residents were evacuated as a result of this incident," he said.

Furthermore, he explained that the strong winds in Jember coincided with the occurrence of high-intensity rain in the area. The local BPBD reported that there were no injuries as a result of this incident.

The affected areas are in two sub-districts, including Patemon and Bedadung Villages in Pakusari District and Kalisat District.

"BPBD assisted by the TNI, Polri, related regional apparatus organizations, volunteers and local residents carry out mutual cooperation to help residents affected by the disaster. Officers and residents clean up damaged house materials and fallen trees on public roads," he explained.