5 Fallen Trees In Kramat Jati, 20 Residents Evacuated Without Injury

Fallen tree evacuation officers in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta/ Photo: ANTARA

JAKARTA - Due to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, five trees fell on Jalan Kerja Bakti, Kramat Jati Village, East Jakarta, Thursday afternoon, October 30.

"Five trees fell on Jalan Kerja Bakti, Kramat Jati Village, Kramat Jati District, due to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds," said Head of Operations for East Jakarta Fire and Rescue (Gulkarmat) Sub-dept., Abdul Wahid, Thursday, October 30.

A number of trees with varying diameters and a height of about seven meters fell closing road access and hitting a Kijang car that was parked at the location.

Abdul said that his party received a report of the incident at around 16.00 WIB. Reports were received from residents who reported five fallen trees near SMPN 281 Jakarta.

"As soon as the report was received, two fire engines and ten personnel from the Ambon guard group immediately dispatched them to the location to carry out the handling," said Abdul.

Officers arrived at the location at around 16.14 WIB and immediately evacuated. From the results of field checks, the trees fell due to strong winds that came along with heavy rains.

The stems and tree branches covered the entire road, causing traffic around the location to stop.

Evacuation began at 16.15 WIB by cutting tree trunks using a chainsaw so that roads could be reopened immediately.

"At around 17.00 WIB, we managed to get rid of all tree material and the situation was declared safe," he said.

There were no casualties in the incident. As many as 20 residents around the location were also rescued without being injured.

According to Abdul, incidents of fallen trees like this are prone to occur, especially during extreme weather changes.

Abdul appealed to the public to be careful and not to take shelter under large trees when heavy rains or strong winds.

His party also appealed to residents to remain alert to the potential for fallen trees, especially on roads with old trees or rims.

"If a similar incident occurs, immediately contact the nearest Gulkarmat Post so that it can be handled quickly," said Abdul.

After the evacuation, the officers also ensured that there was no remaining tree material that could disrupt road users. The traffic flow on Jalan Kerja Bakti returned to normal at around 17.15 WIB and the situation was declared safe under control.