Storm ravages 500 houses

SURABAYA, East Java: A total of 521 houses were seriously damaged and 18 others collapsed during a storm which raged through 12 villages in the Madiun regency Tuesday, a press report said yesterday.

No casualties were reported except that one person was slightly injured, said a staff member of the local office of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Suroyo.

The Antara news agency reported that the five-hour storm also occurred in the districts of Bale Rejo, Sawahan and Madiun.

"Residents have moved to relatives in other villages in case the storm hits back," Suroyo said.

Relief aid has arrived in the form of medicines from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). The local government has donated Rp 50,000 (US$22.49) and Rp 100,000 for each family in the worst hit Jambean village in the Sawahan regency. (anr)