KUBANG PASU: A senior citizen in Kampung Changhai, Changlun, experienced a terrifying ordeal when parts of her roof were blown 200 metres away and some pieces got stuck on a coconut tree during a storm earlier today.
Rokiah Musa, 74, described her fear during the incident, saying she could only resort to prayers.
"I could only recite my syahadah (prayers) when I saw the roof being lifted and carried by the wind towards the padi field 200 metres away," she said when met at her house.
Rokiah was still awake in the living room around 2am when she heard the storm and strong winds.
"I was shocked when I saw the roofs in the living room and kitchen being lifted simultaneously... at that moment, I only thought of reciting my syahadah. After that, I, along with my child and granddaughter, took shelter in a bedroom," she explained.
As soon as the situation calmed down, she went outside to inspect the damage.
"The roof in the living room fell beside the house, and other pieces of the roof were found stuck on a 10-metre-tall coconut tree and scattered in the padi field," she added.
Despite the damage, Rokiah expressed gratitude that her family was safe, although they suffered losses due to the damaged roof and items ruined by the rain.
Another victim, Haziana Abdul Hamid, 58, who owns a bakery on Jalan Sintok, reported significant damage to her bakery's roof.
"The damage to the roof is estimated at over RM15,000. Part of the roof was 'folded,' causing the premises to be flooded with rainwater. Fortunately, about 400 freshly baked loaves of bread were not soaked as I managed to store them away," she said.
Zainol Abidin Mohamad, deputy chairman of the Masjid Changlun committee, surveyed several affected houses and pledged to help repair minor roof damages.
"For major damages, I will assist the residents in obtaining aid from relevant agencies," he said.
State Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director Muhammad Khalil Abd Aziz reported wind speeds of about 70km/h at the Alor Star MetMalaysia station at 2.30am.
He noted that wind speeds in rural areas were likely higher but could not be recorded due to the lack of meteorological stations. The region is expected to experience strong westerly winds until June 26.
Earlier today, it was reported that seven houses in the Kubang Pasu district were also destroyed by a storm earlier today.
Kubang Pasu CDF officer Captain Mohd Adenin Suhaimi reported that in the 2.05am incident, trees were uprooted in several areas including Kampung Kota Si Puteh, Kandis, Pida 2, Teluk Malik, Changkat Setol, and Kodiang.