“We are still in the process of clearing out the fallen trees. There are at least five spots (where trees fell)," Head of the Yogyakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency, Nur Hidayat, stated in Yogyakarta on Friday.
According to the agency, of the trees that toppled, one was located on Urip Sumoharjo Street. A 14-meter monkey pod tree fell on a car in a parking area.
A 15-meter-high and two-meter-wide walnut tree on Kusbini Street also fell on account of the torrential rains, thereby blocking road access and also struck the fence of the Balai Yasa railway workshop.
Another fallen tree hit the car and blocked road access in front of Lempuyangan Station.
The Yogyakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency also noted that another tree had fallen in Pakualaman that had blocked road access as well as a fallen muntingia tree in Suryowijayan that had limited road access and destroyed a car.
"There was one tree whose branch got broken and fell on the car below. The incident occurred on Lempuyangan Street," he revealed.
Hidayat confirmed no casualties as a result of the incidents.
He urged the public to be careful of various potential disasters that could occur at any time during the rainy season.
"Moreover, this year's rainy season is accompanied by the La Nina phenomenon that can increase rainfall accompanied by strong winds," he cautioned.
Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta, Heroe Poerwadi, also voiced the same concern, as he urged the public to increase awareness and prepare mitigation measures against various potential disasters during the rainy season.
“Currently, potential disasters that may occur are heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, floods, landslides, fallen trees, and lightning. All potential disasters must be watched out for," he stressed.
He also called on the community to undertake disaster mitigation efforts by taking into account all aspects.
"For instance, ensuring that there are no trees that are too shady (too many leaves), ensure that the roof of the house is firmly installed, and precautionary measures must be taken for any conditions from the start," he noted.
In addition to potential disasters, the deputy mayor also urged the public to maintain their health, on account of a likelihood of an increase in the number of cases of several diseases, including dengue, during the rainy season.
"Clean the environment and drain away the bath or water reservoir that allows mosquitoes to breed," he added.
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Translator: Eka Arifa R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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