High tide leave 400 homeless

PADANG, West Sumatra: High tides hitting two coastal villages in Padang Utara over the past 10 days have left at least 400 people homeless.

Most of the villagers of Ujung Karang and Lolong have been forced to take shelter with relatives in the safest nearby areas, Antara reported.

Padang Mayor Zuiyen Rais said 110 houses were destroyed, paralyzing the local economy in the villages. There was no immediate report of casualties.

"The coastal areas of Padang are vulnerable to such incidents. It's a natural condition of the area, and during a certain season, high tides come," he said.

The mayor said local villagers had been urged many times to move out but they insist on staying.

Zuiyen said his administration has provided 200 kilograms of rice relief to the villagers. (aan)