ALOR GAJAH: A storm ravaged two villages in Tanjung Bidara near here Friday (July 28), damaging 15 houses in just under five minutes.
No one was injured in the incident which happened at about 9am in Kampung Balik Batu and Kampung Pasir Gembur.
The houses of 16 people in Kampung Balik Batu and three in Kampung Pasir Gembur were damaged by the storm which blew away the zinc roofs, said Alor Gajah Civil Defence Force officer Lt (PA) Mohd Ridhwan Latip.
He said eight Civil Defence Force personnel have been deployed in the villages to help with the clean-up.
Roslan Daut, 68, one of the affected villagers, said the storm lasted only one or two minutes but blew off the roofs of several houses.
"It happened in the wink of an eye. The noise of the wind was most frightening. It sounded like the engine of an aeroplane.
"The zinc roofs, along with the rafters and lights, were all blown off to a height of almost two coconut trees. It was a frightening experience indeed,” he told reporters.
Roslan said he was bringing in the clothes that had been drying when he saw the roof of his younger brother’s house being blown away. His brother, Ab Rahman, 63, lives further downhill and across his house.
"I saw the roof being blown high up. It was swirling in the wind, just like a piece of paper,” he recalled. - Bernama
