Strong Wind up to 45 Kilometers per Hour Strikes Yogyakarta

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Rain coupled with strong wind hit several districts in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta on Friday afternoon, February 22. The strong wind hit areas of Turi, Tempel, Prambanan, and Kalasan district, leaving dozens of trees collapsed, building and houses damaged, and at least three cars destroyed due to fallen trees.

“Based on our observation, there are activities of cumulonimbus cloud in Sleman, the strong wind resulted from the cloud is recorded up to more than 25 knots or 45 kilometers per hour,” Yogyakarta Climatology Station head Djoko Budiyono told Tempo today.

Locals in Turi said they also saw hails pouring down with rain after the strong wind subsided. Djoko confirmed that the clould could trigger hails and tornadoes. 

“In this peak of rainy and transition season, this type of cloud is common, so it’s a normal event,” Djoko added. 

Read: BMKG Warns of Strong Wind in Bogor

A day before, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of potential heavy rain and strong wind in the northern area of Yogyakarta or Sleman, “Because the clouds mostly form in the north to the central areas of Yogya,” he explained.

Therefore, rain is likely to occur in the northern areas of Sleman and Kulonprogo. "Tourists are advised to exercise extra caution, especially those around Mount Merapi during noon until afternoon,” Djoko said.

A monitoring officer of the Institute for Research and Technology Development of Geological Disaster (BPPTKG), Nur Kholik, mentioned that the strong wind toppled trees in 21 locations, blew off people’s rooftops in four points, blocked electricity network in one point, closed the road access in four points, damaged three cars, building walls and one tower. No casualty has been reported thus far. 

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)