BNPB: Strong winds in Klaten topple mobile phone tower and damage power grid

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) revealed the impact of the strong wind disaster that hit Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Thursday (May 14) evening, which resulted in damage to telecommunications infrastructure and the electricity grid in the area.

The Head of the BNPB’s Center for Data, Information and Disaster Communication, Abdul Muhari, in Jakarta, Friday, said that this extreme weather phenomenon had toppled one mobile phone tower and damaged one electricity transmission network.

“This disaster occurred when the area was hit by moderate to heavy rain. In addition to buildings, vital infrastructure such as communication towers and electricity grids were also affected,” he said.

BNPB confirmed that, according to reports from the Klaten Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the incident affected four villages in the Delanggu and Polanharjo sub-districts.

In addition to the transmission infrastructure, officers recorded that nine trees had fallen, temporarily disrupting road access and cable networks in the surrounding area.

The impact of the damage also affected the economic and residential sectors, with two business premises reported to have been severely damaged and two others lightly damaged.

Meanwhile, a total of 16 residents’ houses were recorded as having suffered minor damage.

“Although there was significant infrastructure damage, the BPBD reported that there were no casualties in this incident,” he added.

To date, the BPBD Klaten rapid response team, along with related agencies and local residents, are still on the ground to carry out efforts to clean up debris and coordinate the repair of electricity and communication networks so that public services can return to normal.

The BNPB appealed to the public to remain vigilant against the potential for hydrometeorological disasters triggered by extreme weather.