Strong winds wreck houses in C. Java

SEMARANG: Strong winds hit Purbalingga and Pati regencies on Thursday evening, severely damaging 125 houses and leaving some 400 families without proper shelter.

Central Java administration spokesman B. Sutrisno said on Friday that five people were also injured.

"At Maitan village in Pati, the wind wrecked 15 houses and a number of residents were struck on the head by falling debris," he said.

"In Purbalingga strong winds swept through the villages of Karang Nangka, Mangunegara and Selanggeng, all in Mrebet district."

The local administration pledged to help renovate damaged houses and shelter the victims.

"We've also warned people in areas prone to strong winds, such as Boyolali, Semarang, Salatiga, Purbalingga, Banyumas and Cilacap, to be careful," he said. (har/edt)