TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) recorded 16 houses damaged by another whirlwind that hit certain areas of Citawa Village, Kertasari Sub-district, Bandung District, West Java, Indonesia on Saturday, February 24.

The agency's spokesperson, Hadi Rahmat, said on Sunday that the whirlwind affected 16 families consisting of 56 people.

A joint team of personnel from the West Java and Bandung Disaster Mitigation Agencies along with local military and police personnel attempted to repair the damaged roofs of residents' houses. They also cleaned up the debris of collapsed building materials.

He conveyed that his party has been collecting data on the residents whose houses get affected by the disaster. He did not rule out the possibility that the number of damaged houses would likely increase.

"The level of impact is being validated. Currently, we are still conducting an assessment," Rahmat said.

Apart from that, there were no fatalities, he said while urging the public to remain alert because the peak of the rainy season potentially occurred in March, he said.

"People should remain calm and also be alert to the potential (of disasters) during this rainy season. Please beware of dark clouds. If you are on the road, it is best to pull over first, or move to a permanent building," he suggested.

On February 21, a whirlwind with wind speeds reaching 36.8 kilometers per hour hit five sub-districts in Bandung District and Sumedang District.

The affected areas in Bandung District were in Rancaekek, Cicalengka, and Cileunyi Sub-districts, while the affected areas of Sumedang District were located in Jatinangor and Cimanggung Sub-districts.

According to the BPBD-West Java Office, as many as 1,191 houses were damaged, resulting in 1,228 families being affected by the catastrophe.

ANTARA

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