BUKIT RAMBAI STORM VICTIMS FACE GLOOMY AIDILFITRI

MELAKA, March 18 (Bernama) -- "I was devastated and sad when I returned home and saw that part of the roof of my house had been blown away. This year's Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be a rather gloomy one for us,” said Siti Hajar Mohd Noor, 42, of Kampung Seberang Gajah 1 here.

She is one of the victims of a storm that struck parts of Bukit Rambai at about 5.30 pm yesterday, damaging part of her house, especially the roof, to the point that rainwater entered the house.

Siti Hajar, a salesperson, said her aunt, who lives nearby, phoned her to inform her of the incident, which damaged the more than 69-year-old heritage house.

"I rushed home to check on the situation… only my brother was at home when it occurred. Alhamdulillah, no one was injured, except for the damage to the house.

"This is an unexpected test… truly sad, but Alhamdulillah, the incident caught the attention of Kelebang state assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong and various authorities,” she said, adding that she hopes that the state government will be able to repair the damage to her house and ease her burden.

Meanwhile, another resident from Kampung Gedong Lalang 1, 75-year-old Noryah Talib, who lives alone in her home, said she still can't get over the storm, as it was a frightening and saddening experience, especially with Hari Raya just around the corner.

"When the incident occurred at about 5.30 pm, I was sweeping outside the house when it started drizzling,  followed by strong winds and heavy rain. I ran into the house and cried in fear,” said Noryah, who suffers from a weak heart and hearing problems.

She added that she is currently staying temporarily with her son in a nearby area, and hopes the roof damage to her house can be repaired.

Another resident of Kampung Gedong Lalang 1, Mohmood Sasri Mahmood, 29, said the storm damaged the roof of his living room, but he is grateful that his mother, who also lives there, was not injured.

"It rained like normal initially, and I was not worried. But, after a few minutes, it started raining heavily, accompanied by strong winds which blew the roof in my living room. Part of my house was flooded,” said the factory worker.

Meanwhile, Lim said about 50 houses, including a childcare centre, suffered various types of damage, including roofs being torn off, cracked buildings and structural damage, while two cars were also damaged after being crushed by fallen trees.

He said the Melaka Tengah District and Land Office personnel are conducting damage assessments to enable disaster relief funds to be distributed promptly so that repair work can begin.

"This assistance won't fully cover the repairs of the affected houses, just part of the cost to ease their burden ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he said.

Lim also expressed his gratitude to all the authorities involved in assisting the victims, such as the Fire and Rescue Department, the Melaka Historic City Council and the Civil Defence Force.

-- BERNAMA