SIPITANG: Strong winds wreaked havoc, damaging infrastructure and public facilities, at Kg Melaman, here, on Friday.
A resident, Pius Ganang, told Daily Express said the tornado-like winds also damaged shops, churches and several homes in the 4pm incident.
George Lajim said the roof of his house was blown off by the strong gusts, but he was thankful that his wife and children were unharmed.
“We could not do anything but sit and wait out the storm,” he said.
Bernard Linggam said the roofs of two Sipitang District Council shop premises where he lived were also blown off.
Part of a church building that collapsed.
“We only managed to save some goods,” he said.
Angian Alai said he was at home with his wife and children during the incident.
“It happened so suddenly and it was scary. We just kept quiet inside the house. That’s when we heard the sound of our kitchen roof and car garage being ripped away by the wind,” he said.
District developer Junaidah Maku, when contacted, said the roofs of Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Church and a community hall were also blown off.
She said she visited Kg Melamam with the Assemblyman’s liaison officer, Community Development Leader Unit staff, the Unit Peduli Rakyat NGO and the Village Development and Security Committee,” she said.
“I hope victims can be patient while waiting for the Government to provide appropriate assistance to ease their burden,” she said.
