KUALA TERENGGANU: Unusually strong winds and thunderstorms ripped off the roofs of numerous houses and destroyed roadside stalls at several villages in Marang and Hulu Terengganu.
The strong wind, accompanied by heavy rain, began wreaking havoc about 4pm when many of the house owners in the affected areas were still at work. They only learnt of the disaster upon returning home.
Among badly affected areas were Kampung Gelugor, Bukit Payung, Gong Kiat, Telaga Mengkudu and Pengadang Baru all in Marang; Manir, Batu Hampar , Kesom and Kubang Bujuk in Hulu Terengganu and Hiliran.
Anida Daud, a civil servant who just bought a new house in Gelugor, was shocked to find part of the roof of her house blown away when she returned home about 6pm.
“No one was at home as my husband and I were at work and my two children were in school. I am sad but at least the roof in the living room and bedrooms are still intact. I have called the developer to assess the damage,” she said.
Another victim in Batu Hampar, Wan Siah Muda, 38 said she made a prayer call (azan) when strong wind started ripping off the roof of her house, and prayed for the safety of her family.
“It was all so sudden. Nearly all our furniture and electrical appliances were destroyed by the strong wind which lasted about 15 minutes,” said Wan Siah, who was among 50 owners of low-cost houses in Batu Hampar affected.
“I have lived here for 20 years. This was the first time that such an incident has occurred in this residential area,” she added.
Munirah Mahadi, 33, a housewife, was taking her bath when her house roof was blown away by strong wind.
“I was shocked and panicked when the roof suddenly disappeared. I could hear the roar of the wind,” she said, adding that she had lived in the rented house for eight years.
Meanwhile, state secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail instructed all village development and security committees to assess the damage in the affected areas and to report to the government to enable it to initiate measures to help the affected families.
“The JKKK must also assist other agencies in removing whatever obstacles in areas under their care. I have also instructed all district offices to come out with any form of immediate assistance to help victims, especially in repairing the houses,” he added.