Tree falls on car in Kota Kinabalu hotel parking lot during heavy rain

Tree fell and hit a car boot following heavy rain and strong wind in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday (May 28).

KOTA KINABALU: Heavy rain and strong wind caused a tree to fall on a car in a hotel parking lot along Jalan Belia on Tuesday night (May 28).

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operations centre assistant chief Riki Mohan Singh Ramday said eight firemen were dispatched to the scene at 10.13pm after receiving a distress call.

“The team, led by the operation commander, Senior Fire Officer II Azlee Abdullah, arrived at the scene and found the tree had hit the car boot. No casualties were reported,” said Riki Mohan.

He added that firemen cut the fallen tree using a chainsaw and inspected the condition of other trees.

Firemen cutting the tree branches with a chainsaw which fell on a car following heavy rain and strong wind in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday (May 28).

“The operation ended within 15 minutes after making sure there were no further hazards at the location,” he said.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) has been intensifying its tree inspection following the current weather conditions.

In a recent statement, DBKK said that a monthly timetable for inspecting and maintaining the 18,756 trees within the city has been established. The inspections follow best arboricultural practices to ensure they do not endanger people or property.

DBKK has also developed a comprehensive Mature Tree Management Plan, which includes mitigation strategies to tackle high-risk trees.