Storm ravages 500 houses

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)