Rare tornado hits Sumatra, killing 2 people and damaging 245 homes
A rare tornado tore through several villages on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. At least two fatalities, 6 people injured, and 245 damaged homes were confirmed on Thursday, May 21.
The storm hit the Tulang Bawang district of Lampung Province. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Raditya Caste said animals also perished, including a cow that was fatally knocked over.
Two people lost their lives while six others sustained serious injuries, who have since been admitted to the hospital. Jati added that power was disrupted to most areas in three affected villages. On Thursday, officials were still evacuating villagers to clean up debris.
In a footage released by the agency, people can be seen running and crying in panic as winds started ripping through the village, accompanied by flashes of lightning.
Indonesia's Meteorological Department forecast rain and strong wind in Lampung, as well as parts of western Sumatra, in the following days.
Earlier this morning, a damaging QLCS tornado killed 2 and injured 66 in Indonesia. It formed along the gust front of a squall line based on reports. It devastated an Apartment building in its path, where most of the casualties occurred, destroying many other homes. pic.twitter.com/YJyE0TcOuQ
— Oakhurst_WX (@Oakhurst_WX) May 21, 2020
Featured image credit: Oakhurst_WX/Twitter
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