Indonesia and East Timor – Cyclone Lili Causes Flooding and Wind Damage

Indonesia’s disaster management agency, BNPB, reported that Tropical Cyclone Lili caused wind damage and flooding in parts of Maluku Province from 08 May, 2019.

Photo: NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Lili on May 9, as it continued to linger north of Australia’s Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)/NOAA

The worst areas were in Southeast Maluku Regency. Some areas were reportedly inundated with flood water up to 1.5 metres deep. Several houses were damaged by flooding and wind damage, with several residents displaced. High waves also caused problems and one ship had reportedly sunk. Exact figures for damages and displacements are not yet known as flooding has prevented access to affected areas. No fatalities have been reported, however. As of 10 May the flood water was receding.

East Timor

Flooding was also reported in East Timor from 11 May, 2019. Areas near Baucau and Lospalos were among the worst hit. A bridge was severely damaged, along with other infrastructure and roads have been cut.

The storm has now weakened and been downgraded to a tropical depression. According to Indonesian Agency For Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) Lili is likely to head west, close to East and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces.