|
7th October, 2008
KENINGAU : Strong winds ripped across Kg Banjar and Kg Kauran on Sunday,tearing off the roofs of 18 houses in both villages.
The ordeal started at 5.30pm and lasted for only about 30 minutes but long enough to leave a trail of destruction in its wake.
Some of the zinc sheets were flown 50 metres away and trees uprooted while electricity was cut off instantly.
No casualties were reported but police estimate losses to be about RM150,000.
Most of the victims were in the midst of entertaining guests and celebrating Hari Raya when disaster struck while the others were enjoying the weekend break.
Villagers claimed the incident was the second to hit the area within a few years and apparently the worst since the Greg storm in 1996.
“It was terrifying! the wind came suddenly and seemed to suck away everything in its trail,” said Arrifin Siang,48,whose house lost its roof in the freak storm.
The trail took the form “L” starting from the Crocker Range and attacking Kg Banjar before setting on Kg Kauran.
Liawan assemblyman Datuk Sairin Karno who is also the assistant Minister of Rural Development rushed to the scene upon being alerted.
Accompanied by the assistant director of the Community Welfare Department for Keningau,Ali Hassan Kahar they distributed 270 sheets of zinc to the victims.
Among those who visited the victims were Keningau divisional Umno deputy chief,Hj Jasni Rahmat,Keningau district chief Amir Arif,Keningau assistant district officer,George Kandavo and other community leaders. -MOHD KHAIRY ABDULLAH
|
