Jember, E Java (ANTARA News) - Storms have swept across the regency of Jember in East Java destroying and damaging hundreds of houses, last weekend, the regional Natural Disaster Relief Agency said.

At least 390 units of houses were destroyed and damaged in three sub-districts - Kaliwates, Patrang, and Sumbersari -- in the regency on Friday, head of the logistic and emergency division of the agency Heru Widagdo said.

Tens of big trees were uprooted blocking roads by heavy rains with whirlwinds and power supply was cut leaving the city of Jember without electricity, Heru said here on Saturday.

"The number of houses damaged is not yet confirmed as the agency still is collecting data . The number is more likely larger," he said.

Provisional figures received by the agency showed that 8 houses collapsed and 38 other had moderate and minor damage in the sub-district of Kaliwates; 8 houses heavily damaged and 175 other houses had moderate and minor damage in the sub-district of Patrang, and 3 houses were destroyed and 159 other houses were moderately and slightly damaged in the sub-district of Sumbersari, he said.

A number of people suffered injuries and had to be rushed to local health center and hospital for medical treatment but there was no death victim, he said.

"The agency has distributed relief aid in food and cigarettes and today police and the military help in clearing the house wreckage," he said.

Flooding has caused disasters in various parts of the country over the past three months leaving scores of people killed in landslides or swept by floods .
(H-ASG/A014)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013