Malaysia: Houses, cars thrashed as storm hits Malacca

New Straits Times 24 Jul 14;

MALACCA: A thunderstorm, which hit several districts of the state yesterday, damaged at least 100 houses and 10 vehicles when they were blown away or hit by trees which were uprooted by the strong winds and heavy downpour.

Durian Tunggal in Alor Gajah was worst hit by the 5.45am thunderstorm, but there were no casualties reported. Many of the occupants of the affected houses had just finished their sahur and were waiting to perform their morning prayers.

Durian Tunggal health clinic security guard Ramli Haron, who was patrolling, related how he took refuge in the toilet of his security booth when he saw a whirling storm pass him.

Poultry dealer Ngow Dou Fa, 48, said his whole house was damaged by the storm.

“I was getting ready for work when I heard a loud thunder and 10 minutes later, strong winds ripped my house apart. All my belongings were destroyed, including two cars and a motorcycle,” he said, adding that the estimated loss amounted to more than RM30,000. Ngow said this was the second time he encountered a storm. The first was in 1989.

SJKC Sin Wah in Durian Tunggal was also damaged, with 40 per cent of its roof ripped off.

Alor Gajah member of parliament Datuk Koh Nai Kwong said 117 houses were affected in Durian Tunggal, 18 of them badly damaged.

“We will source for aid to help those affected repair their damaged homes.”

In Melaka Tengah, uprooted trees caused minor damage to roads in several areas, including Kampung Lapan, Bukit Baru, Duyong, Bukit Beruang, Bachang and Cheng.

In Temerloh, Pahang, 200 families from 12 villages face a bleak Hari Raya after a freak thunderstorm on Tuesday evening wreaked havoc when it blew away roofs and damaged their belongings.

In the 6pm incident, described as one of the worst in recent years, two people were injured.

Temerloh district officer Datuk Taarif Abdul Rahman said 11 of the 228 affected homes were badly damaged.

He said 178 houses were damaged in Mentakab, 28 in Lanchang and 22 in Kuala Krau. Among the worst-hit villages were Kampung Batu Kapor, Kampung Sungai Buloh, Kampung Tanjong Kerayong, Taman Saga and Felda Jenderak Utara.

Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who visited two villages here yesterday afternoon, promised the victims that the state government, Welfare department and Pahang Islamic and Malay Customs Council would provide immediate assistance.