Sudden whirlwind hits Kupang

Sudden whirlwind hits Kupang

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

Torrential rains followed by whirlwinds on Monday hit Kupang, the
capital of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, destroying at least
68 homes, two churches, a hospital and NTT Police headquarters.

The whirlwinds, which ravaged the city for about a minute,
toppled hundreds of trees and billboards along the main
thoroughfares.

Naikoten 1 subdistrict, Oebobo, was the worst-hit area with 45
houses badly damaged. The whirlwind detached the roofs of the
houses and carried them as far as 100 meters away. It also
damaged a kindergarten building, the official residence of a
local clergyman, a hospital, the Advent Children's Clinic and the
police headquarters.

In Sikumana and Naikolan subdistricts, both in Maulafa
district, 22 homes and a Pentecostal church were badly damaged,
while three other homes were destroyed.

A St. Yoseph elementary school student, who was on his way to
school on foot, was found pinned underneath a fallen tree. He was
severely injured. Several residents in the area rushed him to
Kupang General Hospital.

Kupang Mayor Semual Kristian Lerik said the administration
would provide emergency assistance in the form of 50 kilograms of
rice per family and a grocery allowance this week.

The municipality may also provide building materials to
victims of the disaster to restore public facilities, especially
hospitals, churches and schools. "We will discuss it first with
the public works office," Semual said.

NTT Police chief Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang has dispatched a
team of officers to help clean up debris from roads.

Several victims said the natural disaster hit without warning.

"Strong winds came up suddenly. In less than a minute, roofs
were destroyed and trees uprooted," said Yesaya Amalo, a resident
of Naikoten 1.