Hurricane wreaks havoc

LAMONGAN, East Java: Hundreds of houses in five villages in the Lamongan regency were damaged by a hurricane which swept the area on Wednesday, Antara news agency reported.

Regency spokesman Mursyid said the local administration has sent all its staff out to help repair and rebuild the damaged houses.

The hurricane was preceded by rain, the first to fall in the area for months.

The five affected villages were Kembangan, Siman, Bulu Tengger, Latek and Miru. The displaced residents have been temporarily accommodated at their neighbors. (emb)