BPBD Establishes Refugee Tents In 3 Bandung Districts Affected By Puting Beliung

BPBD has set up refugee tents for residents affected by the tornado in Bandung Regency, West Java, Thursday (22/2/2024). ANTARA/Rubby Jovan

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) built refugee tents and public kitchens for residents of Bandung Regency affected by the tornado yesterday.

"We have established an emergency handling field post due to a tornado. So this includes three sub-districts, we focus it on Tanjungmekar Village, Rancaekek District," said Head of Emergency and Logistics for BPBD Bandung Regency, Asep Mahmud, in Bandung Regency, Thursday, February 22, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, most of the residents affected by the tornado prefer to flee to their relatives or neighbors' homes.

Nevertheless, he said the Bandung Regency Government through BPBD had established a public kitchen for the consumption of affected residents.

"If the refugees really want to come here or want to stay at their brother's place, we will return it to them," he said.

Furthermore, he revealed that the tornado occurred on Wednesday, February 21 afternoon at 16.00 WIB which resulted in 497 buildings being affected, with details of 223 buildings being heavily damaged, 208 moderately damaged and 66 lightly damaged.

Based on the results of the data collection, as many as 422 families (KK) consisting of 1,308 people were affected by the tornado.

Asep confirmed that until now there were no casualties in the disaster. However, his party recorded that 22 people were injured due to falling material when strong winds occurred and intensive care had been carried out at the hospital.

"For the temporary victims, from the results of the assessment last night, there were 22 people who were referred to the Cicalengka Hospital and some went to the nearest health center," said Asep.

Meanwhile, the Head of Bandung Police, Kombes Pol Kusworo Wibowo, appealed to residents whose houses were heavily damaged to be willing to evacuate to tents that had been prepared by BPBD.

He is worried that if he is still staying at home with the condition of the house being heavily damaged, building materials will be hit. "Please be willing to evacuate. What we convey is that the facilities are quite good, clean water is guaranteed to be good, public kitchens for meals are also available," said Kusworo.