GOF Northern Brigade steps up to help residents hit by freak storm

A photo taken Feb 1 showing contractors repairing houses damaged by the freak storm two days earlier. The General Operations Force Northern Brigade has been mobilised to help with clean-up work. – Bernamapic

IPOH: The General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade has mobilised to help with the clean-up after Sunday's (Jan 30) freak storm that hit several areas here.

Assistant commanding officer Deputy Supt Mazian Jenal said the one-week operation to run from early morning until late in the afternoon daily from Wednesday (Feb 2) will involve an 18-strong team from the GOF 3rd Battalion, Bidor.

The number of personnel would be increased if needed, he added.

He said the operation was mounted on the instructions of Bukit Aman police headquarters to facilitate the cleaning of debris and houses.

"We want those affected (by the storm) to know that they are not alone as we are here to help... more so, because this is supposed to be a festive season and the disaster struck as they were about to usher in the Chinese New Year," he told reporters at the scene on Wednesday.

On Sunday, hundreds of houses in several areas namely Taman Desa Seri Chepor, Kampung Tawas, Taman Tasek Damai and Kampung Seri Klebang Tambahan Jaya here, were damaged when a tornado-like storm hit at about 6pm.

The storm also caused utility poles to topple and uprooted trees, but fortunately no injuries or casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, a resident of Desa Sri Chepor Structured Housing Plan, 56-year-old Azmi Mohd Rashid, said the area had often been hit by strong winds and storms but this incident was the worst she had experienced.

"A few minutes before the storm, the weather was fine. Suddenly I saw smoke billowing and heard the neighbours chanting prayers. Then in the blink of an eye, a whirlwind hit our house. I quickly took my grandchild, ran and hid under the bed for protection,” she said.

Azmi, who has been putting up at a homestay since the incident, said apart from her grandchild who suffered sore eyes because of the dust thrown up by the wind, the rest of her family members were doing well although they had been traumatised by the incident.

"I feel sad because we just repaired the house roof for Hari Raya. In any case, we are grateful for GOF's help and concern,” she said. – Bernama