More than 50 houses were damaged after a massive snake-shaped tornado ripped through villages in Indonesia.

The storm passed through several villages in Yogyakarta province on November 5.

Residents thought it would be harmless as there were only dark clouds and light rain as it approached.

However, panic ensued when the gusts suddenly became more powerful and picked up their roofs and tore up trees outside.

No one was hurt by the tornado but several properties were destroyed.

Some of the houses were damaged by fallen tree branches, and electricity was cut off in the affected districts.

The tornado passed through the Kedungranti, Nglipar and Gelaran hamlets, Bejiharjo, and Karangmojo districts in the province.

Gunungkidul Regional Disaster Management Agency Head Edy Basuki, said they already sent food and relief to the affected districts.

He said: "We have already sent food and rescuers to the villages. Several houses were damaged so we had to evacuate them.

"The impact of the damage was quite severe. The most massive damage occurred in Nglipar District. There were 51 houses damaged there."

The agency is still assessing the extent of damage while they are working on the evacuation of residents.

The local electric companies are also deployed to repair the power lines and restore electricity to the villages.