KOTA KINABALU: After Sandakan, another waterspout has struck Kampung Sungai Tuhok in Semporna, damaging four houses and a kindergarten.
Semporna Fire and Rescue Department station chief Mazlan Sarman said a team of six, led by operations commander Asmaraie Noordanig, was dispatched following a 4pm emergency call on Friday (March 21).
"The team arrived at the scene 15 minutes later. A local resident informed them that the waterspout had hit the area at 1.30pm, tearing off rooftops and causing significant structural damage," he said when contacted.
No injuries or casualties were reported.
Firefighters conducted a safety inspection and confirmed that there was no immediate danger to residents.
The operation concluded at 5.05pm.
Mazlan urged residents to remain vigilant, especially during unpredictable weather conditions.
This follows a similar incident on Monday (March 17) when a waterspout tore off rooftops of at least three houses in Kampung Sim-Sim, Sandakan, about 290 km from Semporna.
No one was hurt in that 3.20pm incident.
A waterspout is a rotating column of water and spray formed by a whirlwind occurring over the sea or other body of water.
