The emergency status will be effective from February 22 to March 6 to enable the government to serve all affected residents optimally, acting head of the Bandung Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Uka Suska Puji Utama, said.
Speaking to local journalists here on Friday, he informed that the disaster emergency status may be shortened or extended by referring to the real needs on the ground and the prevailing situation.
The whirlwind damaged 608 houses in the sub-districts of Rancaekek, Cicalengka, and Cileunyi, and affected 1,879 residents, he said.
To assist affected residents, the BPBD-Bandung District Office has set up several emergency tents and public kitchens, he added.
Meanwhile, the West Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported earlier that the whirlwind left 33 residents injured and damaged at least 534 buildings.
The damaged buildings were observed in the Jatinangor and Cimanggung sub-districts of Sumedang district and the Rancaekek, Cicalengka, and Cileunyi sub-districts of Bandung district, the agency said.
The whirlwind, locally known as "puting beliung," also affected 413 households in Sumedang and 422 homes in Bandung, spokesperson of the BPBD-West Java Office, Hadi Rahmat, stated on Thursday.
The agency has provided 25 pieces of tarpaulin to affected residents, while the local military and Social Affairs Ministry have set up emergency tents for them, Rahmat disclosed.
He said that those injured by collapsed building materials have been admitted to the Cicalengka and Kesehatan Kerja Public Hospitals for medical treatment.
ANTARA has reported earlier that several parts of Indonesia are prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and whirlwinds.
On November 2, 2020, for instance, a whirlwind swept through two neighborhoods of Belinyu sub-district, Bangka district, Bangka Belitung Islands province, following torrential rains.
The whirlwind damaged 45 houses and four buildings housing motorcycle showrooms, according to the Bangka Belitung Islands Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).
Related news: West Java assists residents affected by whirlwind in Bandung, Sumedang
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Translator: Rubby JP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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