BNPB: Tornado Hits Medan Amid Emergency Transition Status

Ongoing assessments are encountering technical challenges due to persistent rain and power outages in the area.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that disaster response efforts for the tornado in Medan Tuntungan District, Medan City, North Sumatra, are progressing swiftly under an active emergency transition phase until June 2026.

‘Handling this incident falls within the emergency transition phase to disaster recovery in Medan City, per Medan Mayor’s Decree No. 188.44/27.K, effective until 26 June 2026,’ said BNPB’s Head of Data, Information, and Disaster Communication, Abdul Muhari, in Jakarta on Friday.

BNPB confirmed that this legal framework supports the Rapid Response Team for Disaster Management (TRC-PB) of Medan City’s Disaster Management Agency in optimally allocating personnel and supplies.

Despite smooth inter-agency coordination, he noted that ongoing assessments face technical hurdles from persistent rain and power outages.

Based on preliminary data from BNPB’s Operations Centre, the strong winds on Thursday (28 May) damaged at least five homes, affecting 19 residents across five households.

BNPB confirmed no casualties were reported, and local authorities have been directed to continuously monitor extreme weather developments via BMKG’s regular monitoring.