Strong winds injure mother and child when a fallen tree strikes them in Jember

Jember, East Java, Indonesia (ANTARA) – Two people riding a motorcycle were injured after being struck by a fallen tree as strong winds swept through Tegalbesar, Jember Regency, East Java, on Wednesday night (4 March).

“Rain accompanied by strong winds swept through six districts in Jember Regency, causing several trees to fall on residents’ houses, on motorcyclists, and on roads, disrupting the activities of road users,” said the Head of the Jember Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Edy Budi Susilo when contacted on Thursday.

He said the two motorcyclists, a mother and her daughter named Arifatul (43) and Nurin Natzwa (14), were struck by a fallen tree while crossing Jalan M. Yamin, Kelurahan Tegalbesar, Kecamatan Kaliwates, and were subsequently rushed to Rumah Sakit Bina Sehat Jember.

According to him, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds hit five villages and one urban village across six districts: Ajung Village in Kalisat District; Umbulrejo Village in Umbulsari District; Rowotamtu Village in Rambipuji District; Balung Lor Village in Balung District; Tegalbesar Sub-district in Kaliwates District; and Dukuhmencek Village in Sukorambi District.

“Strong winds in Umbulsari District caused several trees to fall onto residents’ houses, then trees fell in Rambipuji District blocking the main road and striking PLN electricity cables,” he said.

“We urge the public to stay vigilant and cautious of extreme weather by watching for trees prone to collapse. If heavy rain and high winds occur, riders should stop first and seek a safe place,” he said.

BPBD Jember also forwarded the information to related regional devices to carry out pruning of trees prone to falling.