Extreme Weather, Tornado Damaged 17 Residents' Houses In Sepempang Natuna Village

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NATUNA - Extreme weather that triggered a mild tornado damaged about 17 houses in Sepempang Village, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province (Kepri).

"This incident did not cause any casualties, but material losses are predicted to reach hundreds of millions of rupiah," said Head of the Emergency, Logistics, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Section of the Natuna Regency Fire Department, Elkadar Lismana in Natuna, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, July 14.

Residents were not evacuated, but remained in their respective homes. Because, the average damage is only on the roof of the house, he said.

He said the incident occurred at around 8:30 am. The tornado also triggered trees to fall and even hit several people's houses to the edge of major roads, such as mango and breadfruit trees.

Furthermore, he said, local residents reported the incident to the Natuna Regency Fire Department.

After that, the personnel of the Rapid Response Team (TRC) immediately moved to the location and carried out the evacuation of the natural disaster.

"Until sunset, we were still cleaning up the rubble of the roofs of residents' houses and fallen trees caused by the tornado," he said.

He said his party was only making efforts to clean up debris at the site of the tornado.

"Hopefully the Social Service will help repair the damage to the houses of the residents affected by this tornado," said Elkadar.

Elkadar said that in the last few days strong winds had indeed hit the outermost island in Indonesia. Moreover, ahead of August to September, usually extreme weather often occurs in the area.

Therefore, his party appealed to residents to always be aware of potential natural disasters such as tornadoes and high waves.

"So stay alert and we are aggressively patrolling around. Tornadoes not only have the potential to hit people's houses on the seafront, but also on land," said Elkadar.