KOTA KINABALU: A woman who just finished her sahur was killed when a landslide hit her home in Kampung Lok Bonu, Sepanggar, yesterday.

Sitti Harija Norulla, 53, was reported to have been buried under the landslide debris and rubble of her home in the 4am incident.

The victim’s 39-year-old son, known only as Al, said he was working at a nearby factory when the incident occurred.

He said his mother and younger brother, Zulkiman, 25, had just finished their sahur when they heard a loud noise.

“My brother said he stepped outside to check, and suddenly there was a tremor.

“He tried to pull my mother’s hand to escape, but the tremor was too strong, and he was thrown aside.

“Our house had already moved several metres from its original position.

“After that, I was contacted and I rushed home to search for my mother with the help of the villagers. We eventually found her buried under the landslide,” he said at the scene.

Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department chief Ordine Gilu said his team received an emergency call regarding the incident at 4.32am.

He said a team of 11 firefighters were despatched to the site.

HAZE blanketed the state capital here and surrounding areas yesterday as the massive fire that has been raging through a coconut plantation for nearly two weeks continued.

The tall structures in the state capital — including Menara Kuantan 188 and the Kuantan City Council complex facing Sungai Kuantan — were barely visible at noon.

Nonetheless, daily life in the state capital was not affected, with businesses operating as usual while the air quality remained at a moderate level.

However, a food stall operator, who wanted to be known as Lim Chuen, told the New Straits Times that he fears the situation could worsen in the coming days amid the hot and dry weather.

He said he had experienced the haze in previous years, which forced him and his workers to wear face masks while manning the stall.

“I hope it rains and the air quality improves.”

Although the air pollutant index (API) reading in Balok Baru, where the fire broke out on Feb 22, has shown improvement, the winds are carrying the thick smoke from the blaze towards the town centre.

Pahang Department of Environment director Wandi Yadzid Yaakob said the current wind direction has brought the smoke from the fires in Balok Baru to other parts of Kuantan.

Balok Baru — situated along the coast northeast of Kuantan — is home to plantations, including coconut plantations, and is near popular coastal destinations such as Balok Beach.

A Health Department spokesman advised people, especially those with respiratory conditions, to wear face masks when leaving their homes.

The spokesman said those feeling unwell should seek immediate medical treatment.

API readings are categorised as “good” between zero to 50, “moderate” between 51 and 100, “unhealthy” between 101 and 200, “very unhealthy” between 201 and 300 and “hazardous” above 301.

Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Tuesday expressed concern over the huge fire and urged all outdoor activities to be suspended.

The peat soil fire has affected some 130ha, with firemen still fighting to put out the blaze.

KUCHING (March 6): The Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has contributed RM30,000 to assist communities affected by the recent floods in Bintulu.

According to a press release, the donation was made as part of SCCI’s ongoing efforts to support disaster relief initiatives and provide aid to those in need.

SCCI president Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg recently handed over the contribution to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) which was received on behalf by Bintulu Deputy Resident Abang Zainudin Abang Turkey, at the SCCI office here.

The financial assistance will be channeled towards relief efforts to help affected residents recover from the disaster.

The flood situation in Bintulu had significantly impacted many communities, prompting various government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector organisations to step in with relief assistance.

SCCI said it will continue to encourage collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to strengthen disaster response and recovery initiatives across Sarawak.

ISTANBUL, 6 Mac: Haba daripada matahari mungkin memainkan peranan dalam aktiviti gempa bumi di Bumi, lapor Anadolu Ajansi (AA) memetik kajian baharu yang diterbitkan pada Selasa dalam jurnal sains Chaos.

Penyelidik dari Universiti Tsukuba Jepun dan Institut Sains dan Teknologi Perindustrian Lanjutan Kebangsaan mendapati, haba matahari mencetuskan perubahan dalam suhu atmosfera, yang boleh mempengaruhi sifat batuan dan pergerakan air bawah tanah.

Turun naik sedemikian, sebagai contoh, boleh menjadikan batuan lebih rapuh dan terdedah kepada keretakan, manakala perubahan dalam hujan dan pencairan salji boleh mengubah tekanan pada sempadan plat tektonik, kata pengarang Matheus Henrique Junqueira Saldanha.

“Walaupun semua faktor ini mungkin bukan pemacu utama gempa bumi, ia masih boleh memainkan peranan yang boleh membantu meramalkan aktiviti seismik,” kata Saldanha.

Penyelidik menggunakan model matematik pada data gempa bumi, aktiviti matahari dan suhu permukaan, menemui fakta yang menggabungkan suhu permukaan dapat meningkatkan ketepatan ramalan, terutamanya untuk gempa bumi cetek.

“Itu masuk akal kerana haba dan air kebanyakannya mempengaruhi lapisan atas kerak Bumi,” kata Saldanha.

“Ia adalah sesuatu yang menarik dan kami berharap kajian kami memberi sedikit pencerahan tentang gambaran yang lebih besar tentang apa yang mencetuskan gempa bumi,” kata Saldanha. -TVS