By DayakDaily Team
LIMBANG, Aug 25: A comprehensive assessment is being carried out on more than 60 homes damaged by a storm that struck several areas in Limbang on Aug 19, with a full report to be submitted to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to facilitate the distribution of aid.
Limbang MP and Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the assessment covered all affected homes, regardless of whether they sustained minor or major damage, to ensure eligible victims could receive assistance.
“The final report will be submitted to Nadma by noon today, and I have requested that all houses be assessed, whether they suffered minor or major damage, to facilitate the distribution of assistance,” he said after inspecting several storm-affected areas in Limbang on Monday (Aug 24), as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
Hasbi said between 62 and 63 privately owned homes had been reported damaged, including those in Kampung Limpaki, RPR Batu Biah Phase 4 and Phase 2, Kampung Seberang Kedai and Kampung Pemukat.
The most severe damage was reported in Kampung Pemukat, where one house was almost completely damaged after its roof was blown off by strong winds and crashed into a nearby surau.
“The house was almost 100 per cent damaged after its roof was blown away and struck the surau, causing leaks that forced the surau to be closed,” he said.
The storm also damaged several public facilities, including a car park at a mosque, government housing facilities, a futsal court and the Kampung Bunga Raya Hall.
However, Hasbi said no injuries were reported.
He said efforts to secure assistance began on the day of the incident, when he contacted the Nadma director-general in Kuala Lumpur to request immediate aid for affected residents.
He stressed that immediate repair works were necessary to minimise risks to residents, particularly in the event of further rain.
“Cooperation from all parties is crucial in dealing with this disaster. I have instructed that JKKK funds be used first to assist the victims, while gotong-royong efforts should be mobilised to repair the roofs before the rain returns,” he said.
Hasbi described the storm as a serious and rare occurrence, noting that a similar incident was believed to have last occurred around 2000. There were also reports of two wind vortices hitting the affected areas.
He said the Limbang Parliamentary Service Centre was awaiting the full damage assessment to assist victims, while expressing hope that additional aid could also be provided by the Sarawak government, the Welfare Department and Baitulmal once the report was completed. — DayakDaily
