Tornadoes claim 5 lives in S. Sulawesi, N. Sumatra
Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar | Sat, 02/25/2012 1:15 PM
Five people died and dozens of others were injured after tornadoes hit Wette’e village, Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) regency in South Sulawesi and West Pakpak regency in North Sumatra on Friday.
National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said on Saturday in a press statement that four people died in Sidrap while another victim died in West Pakpak.
The 15-minute tornado damaged 59 residents’ houses in Sidrap, razing 47 to the ground, forcing 215 people to evacuate. Around 40 houses in the subdistricts of Salak and Simpakrobe in West Pakpak were destroyed.
Sidrap disaster management agency chief Abdul Rasyid said on Saturday that a joint rescue team had been deployed to the area. The team has also distributed aid.
“We have distributed food and have established a temporary public kitchen. But most evacuees chose to go to their relatives’ houses,” he said.
The cost of the damage has not been revealed yet. The Sidrap administration has said that it will financially assist victims rebuilding their homes. (swd)
