Dili, August 19, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Civil Protection Authority (APC), through the Head of the Communication Section (XSK), held a press conference reporting that from 11 to 18 August, in one week, Civil Protection registered a total of 165 people affected by natural disasters. The press conference was held in the APC Hall, Caicoli, on Monday
The Head of the Communication Section (XSK) of APC, Genoveva Fernandes Almeida, stated that between 11–18 August 2025, during one week, the situation in Timor-Leste was normal, but there were incidents including: Houses damaged (26), houses blown down by strong winds (17), houses destroyed by fire (8), landslide (1), not meeting full criteria (16), only receiving emergency support (10). The total number of affected people was 165, of whom 39 were evacuated, mainly in the following municipalities: Baucau (8 houses blown down, 2 burned), Bobonaro (4 blown down, 1 burned), Lautem (1 blown down), Liquiça (1 landslide), Manatuto (1 blown down, 4 burned), RAEOA (3 blown down), Viqueque (1 burned).
“The disasters that occurred in Baucau Municipality were as follows: Venilale Post, Uma-Ana-Ulo Village, Oso GuiGui Hamlet, on 11/08/2025, a strong wind blew down one community house, partial damage. Uilaha Village, Luha Oli Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage. Uilaha Village, Caihurulale de Baixo Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage,” said the Head of APC Communication Section, Genoveva Fernandes Almeida.
She continued, in Fatulia Village, Uatulia Ana Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage. In Guruça Village, Eu-Afa Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, fire destroyed one community house, total loss, the victims evacuated to a neighbor’s house. In Quilecai Post, Guruça Village, Lakulela Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down two houses, partial damage. In Baucau Villa Post, Bahu Village, Roulo Hamlet, on 08/08/2025, fire destroyed one house, total loss, victims evacuated to neighbors’ homes. In Bahu Village, Lamegua Hamlet, on 11/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage. In Vemasse Post, Ossouala Village, Uaicnassa Hamlet, on 01/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage.
“In Bobonaro Municipality, Maliana Post, Ritabou Village, Diruaben Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, minor damage only, received emergency support as it did not meet criteria. In Ritabou Village, Diruaben Hamlet, on 14/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, minor damage. In Raifun Village, Utidae Hamlet, on 12/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, partial damage. In Ritabou Village, Daitete Hamlet, on 13/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, minor damage. In Bobonaro Post, Maliubo Village, Maliubo Hamlet, on 13/08/2025, fire destroyed one house, total loss, victims evacuated to family homes,” continued APC’s Head of Communication.
She reported that in Manatuto Municipality, Laclo Post, Uma Kaduak Village, Ilmano Hamlet, on 13/08/2025, fire destroyed four community houses. These cases did not meet the full criteria and only received emergency support. Victims evacuated to family homes. In Uma Naruk Village, Hahi Lacor Hamlet, on 14/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, minor damage.
“In Lautem Municipality, Lautem Post, Manha 2 Village, Lareira Hamlet, on 10/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, received only emergency support. In Manha 2 Village, Lereado Hamlet, on 10/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, received only emergency support,” informed APC’s Head of Communication.
She confirmed that in Liquiça Municipality on 14 August 2025, Loes Post, Lisadila Village, Lebune Hamlet, an electrical fire occurred. The victim, named Manuel Fino, aged 70, died instantly. According to APCM Liquiça, the chronology shows that the victim was charging a mobile phone when electricity struck, electrocuting him to death on the spot.
“In RAEOA, Pante Makassar sub-region, Taiboco Village, Ulas Hamlet, on 05/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, received only emergency support. In Taiboco Village, Neofobai Hamlet, on 09/08/2025, strong winds blew down one house, also received only emergency support,” affirmed APC’s Head of Communication, Genoveva Fernandes Almeida.
She underlined that in Naimeco Village, Bonomese Hamlet, on 14/08/2025, strong winds damaged one community kitchen, which did not fall into full disaster criteria, so only emergency support was provided. In Viqueque Municipality, Viqueque Villa Post, Bahalara Uain Village, Welaco Hamlet, on 14/08/2025, fire destroyed one house, total loss, victims evacuated to family homes. In addition, one strong wind case damaged one community house, receiving only emergency support to facilitate victims affected by disaster.
She further explained that APC Municipal Command, together with relevant partners, provided emergency assistance to affected families, both food and non-food items. Therefore, the Operational Command of the Civil Protection Authority (APC) in each municipality will continue to carry out detailed assessments of damaged and lost property.
Reporter: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano