Powerful tornado hits Kelapa Dua island, near Jakarta, damaging 34 houses
A powerful tornado swept through parts of Kelapa Dua island, north of Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday, November 19, 2017. This is the second damaging tornado to hit the islands within a week and it comes after three waterspouts were spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, a phenomenon rarely seen in the tropics, the National Mitigation Agency reported.
According to the Jakarta's Thousands Islands regency police chief, the tornado hit Sunday night and damaged 34 houses.
"One of the houses located on the coastline was severely damaged. The structure collapsed and its roof was badly damaged," North Thousand Islands Police chief First Insp. Isbiyanto said, as reported by The Jakarta Post. He added that the tornado was accompanied by heavy rain and that it knocked down several trees, leaving the streets covered in leaves and debris from the damaged houses.
Collapsed home after tornado hits Kelapa Dua island, Indonesia on November 19, 2017. Credit: North Thousand Islands Police
"Based on the information we have gathered so far, there were no casualties," Isbiyanto added.
Isbiyanto warned residents and visitors to Kepala Dua island to be vigilant of strong winds and heavy rain, as another tornado had struck the island on Tuesday, November 14, damaging 21 homes.
Tuesday's tornado hit the region at around 20:00 local time, and was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall.
"One home was shifted and flipped over, while 20 other homes were severely damaged," Kelapa Dua Island subdistrict head Fadli said.
"The residents suffered estimated losses upwards of hundreds of millions of rupiah because of the incident," Fadli said.
On October 23, 2017, three waterspouts were spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, a phenomenon rarely seen in the tropics, the National Mitigation Agency reported.
The waterspouts were seen near Opak Island, an uninhabited isle situated close to Kaliage Island.
Waterspouts spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
Waterspouts spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
Three waterspouts spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
Waterspout spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
Featured image: Waterspouts spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
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