Dili, July 9, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Civil Protection Authority (APC), through its Head of Section and Communication Team, reported weekly data on natural disasters in Timor-Leste over the past two weeks. The press conference took place at the APC Hall in Caicoli, Dili, on Monday.
The Head of the Communication Section (XSK), Genoveva Fernandes Almeida, reported that from June 23 to June 30, 2025, in one week, Timor-Leste experienced several types of disasters, with CNOPC APC registering a total of 95 people affected across five municipalities.
“During the disasters in those five municipalities, APC recorded 1 death, 20 houses damaged, 9 strong winds, 10 landslides, 1 house burned down, 13 cases met the criteria for emergency support, 8 emergency supports delivered, 95 people affected, and 34 people evacuated. The most affected municipalities were Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera, Lautem, and the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno (RAEOA),” said XSK Genoveva Fernandes Almeida.
She added that within one week, several affected areas included like in Baucau Municipality, Baguia Post, Samalri Village, Daraloi Leten Hamlet: on June 6, 2025, a landslide destroyed one house completely. In Bobonaro Municipality, Maliana Post, Ritabou Village, Daitete Hamlet: on June 27, 2025, strong winds destroyed two houses. In Cailaco Post, Goulolo Village, Suri Ubu Hamlet: on June 28, 2025, a house was burned down.
She continued, in Covalima Municipality, Maucatar Post, Bele Kasak Village, Loloba Hamlet: on June 18, 2025, landslides damaged eight houses completely. In Ila Hamlet, on the same day, a landslide damaged one house. In Suai Post, Suai Loro Village, Suai Loro Hamlet: on June 29, 2025, a crocodile attacked and killed João de Jesus while he was fishing in Laen Tolu Lake. In Ermera Municipality, Atsabe Post, Laulara Village, Ervilhat Hamlet: on June 26, 2025, strong winds damaged one house; only emergency support was provided.
She further said that in Lautem Municipality, Iliomar Post, Iliomar 1 Village, Vatamar Hamlet: on June 19, 2025, strong winds damaged one house but did not meet support criteria; only emergency support was given. And lastly, in RAEOA, Pante Makasar Sub-Region, Taiboko Village, Ulas Hamlet: on June 20, 2025, strong winds damaged two houses, not qualifying for full support. In Costa Village, Sanane Hamlet: on June 27, 2025, strong winds damaged two houses; emergency support was provided.
In the second week, from June 30 to July 7, 2025, different types of disasters occurred, resulting in 1 death, 32 houses damaged, 38 houses affected by strong winds, 2 landslides, 2 house fires, 32 cases met emergency criteria, 12 emergency supports delivered, and 254 people affected.
“Disasters in the second week occurred in eight municipalities including RAEOA. In Ainaro: 7 houses damaged by strong winds. In Baucau: 9 houses damaged by strong winds. In Bobonaro: 1 death, 2 houses damaged by strong winds, and 1 house burned. In Dili: 4 houses damaged by strong winds. In Ermera: 1 house damaged by strong winds, 1 landslide, 1 house burned. In Lautem: 4 houses damaged by strong winds, 1 landslide. In Manatuto: 7 houses damaged by strong winds, 1 landslide. In Manufahi: 1 house damaged by strong winds. And in RAEOA: 3 houses damaged by strong winds,” she continued.
She further reported that in Bobonaro Municipality, Tapo Memo Village, Pip Galag2 Hamlet: on June 27, 2025, strong winds damaged two houses. In Lolotoe Post, Zildapil Village, Zildapil Hamlet: on July 3, 2025, a house was destroyed by fire under severe conditions.
In Atabae Post, Hataz Village, Bloi Hamlet: on July 4, 2025, a person fell from a cliff and died.
In Dili Municipality, Cristo Rei Post, Hera Village: on June 28, 2025, one house was damaged by strong winds. In Hali Dolar Hamlet: on July 1, 2025, another house was damaged.
In Camea Village, Caisabe Hamlet: on July 4, 2025, a house was also affected.
In Vera Cruz Post, Coalau I: on June 29, 2025, strong winds damaged one house.
In Aileu Municipality, Remexio Post, Asumanu Village: on June 26, 2025, one house was affected. In Karahili Village, Sumi and Karimou Hamlets: on June 26 and 29, three houses were affected. In Tulatakeu Village, Samalete Hamlet: two houses were affected by strong winds.
In Aileu Post, Seloi Kraik Village, Tabulasi Hamlet: one house was damaged under severe conditions.
In Baucau Municipality, Quelicai Post such as Lacoliu Village, Macabubu Hamlet, Maluro Village, Warobo Hamlet, Loilubu Hamlet, Waitame Village, Kukulai Hamlet, Abafala Village, Assa Loqui Hamlet, Baulale Village, Osso Mesa Hamlet, and Ataka Village, Uligata Hamlet
All these locations recorded one or more houses damaged by strong winds.
In Venilale Post, Bado Ho’o Village, Uaicana Hamlet: one house was also affected.
In RAEOA, Pante Makasar Sub-Region such as, in Taiboco Village, Maguelab Hamlet: one house severely affected, in Ulas Hamlet: one house severely affected, and in Bobometo Village, Quibiselo Hamlet: one house severely affected. All these data were collected by APC over the two-week period.
The APC explained that victims of these natural disasters have already received emergency support from the APC command and its relevant partners in each municipality, including food and non-food aid. The APC operational command and joint teams will continue to assess the damaged homes so the most affected families can receive government support.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano