Rain and High winds in Aceh, Ferry Trip Canceled to Many Damaged Houses

A number of houses and some public facilities in some areas of Aceh are reported to have been damaged by bad weather. Heavy rain is known to be down since Sunday (17/6/2018) night followed by strong winds on Monday (18/06/2018) morning. Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) reported strong winds and even tornadoes hit several areas in Aceh including in Aceh Besar District, Sabang City, Banda Aceh, Pidie Jaya and Lhokseumawe districts.

Head of BPBA Aceh Teuku Ahmad Dadek said, in Sabang City, strong winds hit almost all areas in Sabang. As a result many trees fell and hit houses. "For the interim report there are 4 units of seriously damaged houses, one bungalow unit and several fallen trees covering road access, and currently being handled by local officials," Dadek said on Monday. Bad weather that hit the area of Sabang also caused the accumulation of passengers in the port of Balohan Sabang who will travel back to Banda Aceh City by boarding the ship Fery.

Hasan Basri, a traveler from Aceh banda who was in Sabang, admitted that he could not return to Banda Aceh even though he had bought a ferry ticket because the ship could not sail because of high waves. "We have bought tickets to go back to Banda Aceh but it turns out the ship canceled his departure because the waves are too high and strong winds, of course this is for the safety of passengers. Looks like we have to survive another day in Sabang while waiting for the weather to stop, the roads to the tourist sites were filled with many trees that fell, "said Hasan Basri.

In addition to Sabang, strong winds and heavy rain that caused damage to houses and fallen trees also occur in Aceh Besar District, Bireun District, Central Aceh District and Pidie Jaya District. In Aceh Besar District, the Chief Implementer (Kalak) of BPBA Teuku Ahmad Dadek, the tornado hit the Montasik District and Darul Imarah Subdistrict causing two houses to be damaged. "The roof of this house is freed and flown by the wind, now the temporary owners live in the house of their relatives in the same village," explained Dadek.

Ahmad Dadek asked residents to be wary of extreme weather that suddenly hit Aceh since Sunday afternoon yesterday. "Citizens are asked to avoid the location of large trees and power poles because many trees and power lines fall due to strong winds and residents are also asked to remain vigilant," said Dadek.

by @ engkotbaceeraya