[SABAH] ‘Tornado’ blows off roofs of 23 houses

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LAHAD DATU: The roofs of 23 houses in Kampung Desa Bajau and Kampung Dasar Baru were blown off by tornado-like storm on Friday.

It was the first time that such an extreme weather event occurred in the two villages, which happened around 3.30 pm.

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One of the victims, Siti Salkan Nur, 65, said she was making traditional cakes when a strong gust of wind blew off her roof.

Siti said she was shocked and immediately took her daughter and her grandchildren to seek temporary shelter at their neighbour’s house.

“The wind was like a tornado, it blew off some of my roof as well as the wall. I was shocked, this is the first time such incident occurred here,” said Siti.

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According to another villager, Nora Jalmaani, 42, the strong wind was seen forming a tornado.

She said while preparing for prayer, she saw the strong wind pulling garbage, zinc and wood before spinning, just like a tornado.

“Fortunately, no one was around, if not the person would have been hit by the objects or sucked towards the tornado.

“I keep praying for everyone’s safety and thank God, my house was not damaged in the incident,” she added.

On Friday, Lahad Datu Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Head of Division, Abdul Hakim Ghulam Hassan spend some time visiting the victims and presented contribution.

Abdul Hakim who was accompanied by Segama Community Development Leader, Mizma Appehdullah said they will contribute 600 pieces of zinc for the victims.

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Seorang ibu tunggal, Siti Salkan Nur, 65, masih trauma apabila mengingati tragedi yang menyebabkan sebahagian atap rumahnya terbang.

"Ketika kejadian kedengaran bunyi kuat dan saya sempat melihat semacam ada kelompok hitam berterbangan di udara yang mungkin sampah.

"Tidak lama, kedengaran orang menjerit dan apabila menyedari angin itu menghampiri rumah, saya cuma mampu memeluk anak dan cucu lalu bertapuk dan berteduh," katanya ketika ditemui di sini, semalam.

Siti Salkan menyedari sebahagian zink rumahnya telah tiada apabila air hujan mula membasahi lantai dalam rumahnya.

Seorang ibu Nora Jalmaani, 42 yang berniaga secara kecil-kecilan berkata tragedi itu pertama kalinya disaksikannya di depan mata.

"Ketika kejadian, saya sedang bersiap untuk menunaikan solat namun bunyi angin yang kuat dari sebelah rumah jiran membuat saya takut.

"Saya melihat keadaan di luar rumah dan mendapati zink dewan dan kayu-kayunya berterbangan," katanya.

Beliau bersyukur apabila mengetahui semua jiran-jirannya selamat meski ada yang terpaksa menanggung kerugian akibat kerosakan kesan tragedi itu.