Tornado hits Panggang Island, leaving 21+ homes damaged, Indonesia
A damaging tornado swept through Panggang Island in the Thousand Islands regency of Indonesia around 03:45 local time Friday, February 2, 2018 (20:45 UTC, February 1).
The tornado damaged at least 21 homes and downed dozens of trees. While there were no casualties, the number of damaged homes is likely to increase as authorities are still gathering data, the Jakarta Post reported earlier today.
"The number of damaged houses and the material losses are being counted," an Indonesian Red Cross staff member said early Friday.
Authorities said the tornado was accompanied with heavy rain and strong winds.
A powerful tornado swept through parts of Kelapa Dua island, Thousand Islands on Sunday, November 19, 2017, damaging at least 34 homes. It was the second damaging tornado to hit the islands within a week.
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
On November 22, 2017, a destructive tornado ripped through a densely populated area of East Java province, Indonesia at 08:30 UTC (15:30 WIB), injuring at least 35 people and damaging more than 600 homes.
This was the third damaging tornado to hit the country within two weeks.
Featured image: Waterspout spotted in waters off the Thousand Islands, Indonesia on October 23, 2017. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB
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