Tornado Occurs Again in Bandung Regency, 61 Houses Damaged

Another tornado hit the Bandung Regency area. A total of 61 residents' houses were damaged.

DOKUMENTASI BPBD KABUPATEN BANDUNG

One of the houses affected by the tornado disaster in Cimaung District, Bandung Regency, West Java, is seen on Wednesday (24/4/2024). There were no casualties in this incident.

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — A tornado hit two villages in Cimaung District, Bandung Regency, West Java, Wednesday (24/4/2024) afternoon. There were no fatalities. However, 61 houses were damaged.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bandung Regency, Uka Suska, when contacted on Thursday (25/4/2024), explained that the incident occurred around 3:30 PM local time. Starting with rain and lightning, the tornado lasted for 10-15 minutes.

Also read: Traces of the Powerful Tornado in Bandung-Sumedang

Two affected villages are Sukamaju and Cimaung. Uka explained that the number of affected houses in Sukamaju village is 34 units, while in Cimaung village there are 27 recorded damaged houses.

"Based on preliminary data collection, two houses were heavily damaged, while dozens of other houses suffered minor to moderate damages. The majority of the damaged houses were affected on their roofs," Uka explained.

DOKUMENTASI BPBD KABUPATEN BANDUNG

A total of 61 residential houses were affected by a natural disaster of a tornado in Cimaung District, Bandung Regency, West Java on Wednesday (24/4/2024). These houses are located in the villages of Sukamaju and Cimaung.

He stated that there are no more residents taking refuge in their neighbor's houses as of Thursday. It is estimated that the number of affected residents in these two villages is approximately 200 people.

"The residents who had previously evacuated to the houses of their relatives and neighbors have returned to their respective homes. We have provided tent assistance for those in need," he said.

Uka added that the process of collecting data on houses affected by tornadoes is still being carried out by the Bandung District BPBD. He also urged residents to increase disaster mitigation efforts in the midst of the transitional season.

"During the transition period between seasons, heavy rainfall often occurs accompanied by strong winds and lightning. The risk of hydro-meteorological disasters as a result of this phenomenon is high," he said.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

Heavy rain poured down on Bandung, the capital of West Java, on Monday (8/1/2024). As much as 12 flood-prone spots in Bandung occurred during hours of moderate to heavy rain intensity.

Previously, a whirlwind struck five districts in Sumedang Regency and Bandung Regency on February 21, 2024. According to data from the West Java Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), 611 houses were damaged. The number of affected residents reached 1,968 people, while the number of injured victims reached 40 people.

In response to the potential of tornadoes, the Head of the Class I Geophysics Station in Bandung, Teguh Rahayu, explained that the West Java region, including the Greater Bandung area, is currently in the transition period from the rainy season to the dry season, also known as pancaroba. The current condition marks the beginning of the dry season.

Also read: Puting Tornado Hits Bandung and Sumedang, 735 Families Affected

Teguh urges the community to be wary of the potential for bad weather during the transition period. The impacts of bad weather that can occur include heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning and strong winds, which could potentially lead to tornadoes.

"Be aware of the possibility of disasters such as floods, landslides, and tornadoes. For residents engaging in outdoor activities, if heavy rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds occur, immediately move to a safe location," said Teguh.