Whirl Wind Damages 88 Houses In E Java

Banyuwangi, E Java, Jan 30 (Antara) - A whirl wind has damaged at least 88 houses in Banyuwangi District of East Java Province on Wednesday afternoon, according to The Banyuwangi Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). "We have recorded the number of houses with both minor and heavy damages, in Yosomulyo Village of Gambiran Sub-district. We are also calculating the total loss from the disaster," the Head of Banyuwangi BPBD Kusiyadi stated here, on Thursday. The wind also hit Yosomulyo 2 elementary school, a kindergarten school, a chicken farm and a monastery. The Agency noted that the disaster had also injured several people in the village, who have now received medical support. "There are at least 300 volunteers deployed from BPBD, Indonesian Military and Police personnel as well as local people who have repaired the houses that had minor damages. Meanwhile, we have evacuated the victims whose houses suffered heavy damages," Kusiyadi explained. The BPBD has distributed aid in the form of staple needs and instant foods to the victims in the three hamlets of Yosomulyo Village such as in Sidomukti, Sidorejo Wetan and Sidorejo Kulon on Wednesday evening. "We will distribute blankets and instant foods to the whirl wind victims on Thursday. Meanwhile, the agency will assist the victims in repairing the houses," Kusiyadi pointed out. The agency explained that the total preliminary loss from the disaster in Yosomulyo Village amounted to Rp800 million. However, the BPBD added that the total loss could be higher since the agency was still recording the details of the damages. The officers, stated Kusiyadi, also cut down several trees which were prone to falling, in order to avoid further damages to houses in the location. "We suggest that those who need more information visit the disaster post in Yosomulyo Village Hall, in order to avoid miss-information from irresponsible people," Kusiyadi stated.