Strong winds, high tide hit West Java

BANDUNG. The Bandung branch of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned residents to be on alert following strong winds reaching 25 kilometers per hour that hit the whole area in West Java on Tuesday.

The agency said there was a potential for tornadoes because wind speeds have exceeded the normal levels of 15 kilometers per hour.

Agency forecaster Susiana said Tuesday that the agency had recorded strong winds hitting the area over the past two days due to low pressure along the southern coast in West Java.

The low pressure has also caused tides three meters to six meters high along West Java’s southern coastline, according to Susiana.

“We all need to be aware of the possible threat from the low pressure; however, no damage has been reported,” Susiana added.

Strong winds toppled a number of large trees and damaged at least five houses in Wargaluyu village in Bandung regency. Seven residents were reportedly injured.

The agency predicted that the strong winds would last until the end of the week.

The West Java Disaster Mitigation Agency recorded 123 disasters caused by tornadoes in 2010. (Yuli Tri Suwarni/The Jakarta Post)