Cilacap, Central Java (ANTARA News) - A strong whirlwind struck Mulyadadi and Pahonjean villages, Majenang subdistrict, Cilacap regency in Central Java on Monday at 2.20 pm.

Head of the Cilacap disaster mitigation agency Wasi Ariadi confirmed the strong wind which had razed the two villages.

Initial reports said that the whirlwind in Pahonjean village had seriously damaged a house while the roofs of others blown off.

In the meantime, in Mulyadadi village, a house was also razed to the ground, three heavily damaged, six lightly damaged, while many other had their rooftops blown off.

He said the victims had to stay with their relatives for the time being.

Mulyadadi village head Sangidun said the strong whirlwind struck at 2.20 pm.

"At 2 pm it was raining very heavily and suddenly followed by the whirlwind, destroying everything in its path," he said.

On a different occasion, weather analyst of the Cilacap Meteorology Station Teguh Wardoyo said there might be other whirlwinds striking Central Java, especially its southern parts, south of the equator keeping the surface of the sea warm with a high rate of vaporization.

Consequently he said the formation of Comulonimbus (Cb) clouds which normally triggered a whirlwind, was still high.

"So people had been warned to stay alert if a bright sunny day is suddenly blackened by thick clouds followed by heavy rain," he said. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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