Violent winds destroy houses

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of houses were damaged and trees uprooted in Jatiasih, Bekasi, when a violent storm with strong winds and heavy rain struck the area for 30 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

No fatalities were reported.

The storm struck houses suddenly in the Pondok Gede Permai Housing Complex at around 4 p.m., Antara reported on Saturday.

Residents were panicked and left screaming for help as their asbestos roofs were destroyed by the winds, with roof tiles flying off or smashed by falling trees.

Several big trees around the housing complex fell onto electricity poles and cables.

A 25-meter high radio antenna owned by one resident named Dhani fell onto his house. A satellite dish was also seen falling down and breaking into pieces.

A resident named Kamidi said that his house was damaged when his neighbor's asbestos roof flew off and crashed into his.

Rain poured in, flooding the whole house.

"I was very shocked. Suddenly, there was a loud sound from above my roof and my wife was screaming for help," he said.

Several houses in Pondok Benda village, Jatiasih, were also damaged.

The storm also damaged several houses at Bojong Menteng, Rawalumbu and Jakasetia at Pekayon, which are also located in Bekasi.

After the storm subsided, residents began fixing their roofs and clearing away trees which blocked the streets. (hdn)