Storm leaves dozens homeless

SERANG, Banten: A storm prevented dozens of residents of Kelapa Baris hamlet at the foot of Mount Pulo Merak from voting on Monday.

Eight families sought shelter at a nearby mosque and school building after a storm swept through the hamlet in the morning. The storm also prevented them from exercising their right to vote.

The Kelapa Baris residents were asleep when the storm came and blew their roofs away.

One of the residents, Sabit, said he and his family rushed out of their house as the storm shook the building amid intermittent thunders.

Another resident, Sanimin, said the disaster almost caused his house to collapse.

No fatalities were reported in the disaster, but the residents complained about the absence of humanitarian aid. -- Antara