BUTTERWORTH: At least four houses in Kampung Jawa Prai, here, were damaged after their zinc roofs were blown away by strong wind in a storm this afternoon.
At least two of the houses also sustained damage to their outer walls in the 5pm incident.
The strong wind was followed by a storm and heavy rain.
Villager Asrul Affendi said three of the four houses were uninhabited while a family was staying in the other house.
However, they managed to escape unhurt.
"The incident happened so fast… in less than five minutes. The strong wind took with it the zinc roof of the four houses.
"Luckily, the family saved themselves as soon as they realised that the roof of their house was blown away by the freak storm," he said, adding that the family has since sought shelter at a relative's home in Prai.
A 20-second video clip showing the storm blowing off the zinc roof has since gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, a family who was holding an akikah and thanksgiving ceremony in the same village, also experienced some anxious moments when the canopy set up for the ceremony was blown away by the strong wind before getting caught on a coconut tree near their house.
There were about 30 or so guests attending the kenduri when the incident occurred. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Muhamad Hafiz Abdul Halim, 35, said the ceremony was held at his family home by his sister when a strong wind struck and the canopy was blown high on a 20m-tall coconut tree in front of the house.
"The situation turned chaotic and all the guests present, including family members, ran into the house to save themselves. Alhamdulillah, none of us were hurt," he said.
He said the incident happened in the blink of an eye, and all the food and drinks scattered everywhere following the incident.