Landslides Destroy Five House on Bawean Island

Gresik, E Java (Antara) - Landslides, triggered by heavy rains over the past few days, have destroyed at least five houses in three villages on Bawean Island in East Java's Gresik district. The landslides, which struck Telukjatidawang village in Tambak sub-district, as well as Sungairujing and Daun villages in Sangkapura sub-district, claimed no lives, Sangkapura sub-district head Abdul Adim said on Wednesday. "We have ordered the residents whose houses were destroyed to move to safer areas," he added. Gresik district head Sambari Halim Radianto said the district administration had prepared basic necessities and medical teams to treat victims of landslides. "We cannot leave for the island now, due to bad weather. God willing, we will depart on Friday," he said. Sambari noted that he had ordered the Gresik district natural disaster mitigation body (BPBD) to assess the extent of damage caused by the landslides. "The BPBD Gresik has also prepared relief aid. They are waiting for good weather," he pointed out. Sambari said he, along with officials from the Gresik district administration, would soon inspect landslide-hit areas on the island. He also asked local residents to remain calm. (*)