KUANTAN: Kerajaan akan mempertimbangkan cadangan Operasi Pembenihan Awan (OPA) sebagai antara alternatif dalam usaha memadamkan kebakaran ladang kelapa di Jalan Pintasan Kuantan-Sungai Ular di sini yang berlarutan sejak 22 Feb lepas.

Menteri Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad berkata bagaimanapun usaha itu bergantung kepada keperluan dan cuaca selain perlu berbincang terlebih dahulu dengan Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (METMalaysia) dan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM).

Katanya pelaksanaan tidak boleh dilakukan secara tiba-tiba kerana ia memerlukan penelitian sama ada awan itu sesuai untuk proses pembenihan.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada media selepas mendengar taklimat dan melakukan tinjauan di lokasi kebakaran di sini hari ini.

A one-year-old toddler and an 85-year-old grandmother were among those rescued from their homes after flash floods struck various parts of the state.

Heavy rainfall since the early hours of yesterday led to severe flooding across two districts, submerging multiple areas.

The baby boy and his 41-yearold mother were rescued from their home in Taman Kesidang, while the elderly woman was rushed to Hospital Melaka from her residence in Semabok.

Meanwhile, the Melaka Civil Defence Force confirmed that evacuation centres have been established at SMK Dang Wangi Anum in Jasin and SJK(C) Malim and SK Seri Duyong in Melaka Tengah.

Among the affected areas are Jalan Ong Kim Wee, Kampung Pengkalan Rama Pantai, Banda Kaba, Taman Desa Duyong, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Lebuh Alor Gajah-melaka Tengah-jasin (AMJ) in Cheng, and Kampung Chetti.

In Jasin, Kampung Kilang Berapi was also inundated due to continuous heavy rainfall.

Sekinchan residents picking up the pieces of broken rooftops and debris in the aftermath of a freak storm that ripped through the area. Families whose homes were destroyed are left to recover from a night of terror and heavy losses.

SABAK BERNAM: A storm that struck Parit 4, Sekinchan, caused significant damage, with a hawker suffering losses of approximately RM120,000 after part of his home was destroyed.

Describing it as a test during Ramadan, Azman Mastol, 58, said this is the first time such an incident had occurred in the area where he grew up.

During the storm early yesterday, he and his wife were at their eldest child’s home in Putrajaya.

“I was informed by my neighbours and rushed back immediately. Upon arrival, I saw that the roof, especially in the kitchen area, was destroyed. Rainwater had flooded the house, damaging furniture and electrical appliances.

“I feel sad because this house is usually the place where my children and grandchildren gather during Hari Raya. With the current condition, we may have to celebrate at our daughter’s house in Putrajaya this year,” he said when met at his home, reported Bernama.

G. Rani, 40, described the experience as terrifying, recalling how she rushed to rescue her fouryear-old daughter who was sleeping upstairs before the section collapsed.

“I noticed the strong winds and immediately brought my daughter downstairs. My family and I could only pray in the living room, hoping to stay safe,” she said.

Recalling the harrowing experience, motorcycle mechanic B. Murukayah said he was taking a shower when the storm hit, ripping off the roof and destroying the kitchen of his home, where he lives with his wife and three children.

He likened the incident to a movie scene with debris from walls and rooftops, along with rubbish being carried away by strong winds, followed by sparks from electrical cables.

“In that moment, my only concern was my family’s safety. We stayed inside, but it was terrifying because we didn’t know where to run,” he said.

Most houses at the scene suffered severe roof damage, with many household items and appliances damaged due to heavy rain during the storm.

Also present at the scene were personnel from the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Social Welfare Department, Kuala Selangor Municipal Council and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

Earlier, Selangor JBPM operations division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar reported that the storm affected eight houses but did not result in any injuries or fatalities.

Eight houses were damaged in what was described as a “tornado-like” storm in Jalan Ban Lesen Parit 4, Sekinchan yesterday.

State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said no casualties were reported in the 7am incident.

“We received a call at 7.48am and deployed eight firemen from the Sekinchan fire station to the scene. Upon arrival, we confirmed that a tornado-like storm had occurred, resulting in significant damage to eight homes. The affected residents were instructed to gather in a safe area until conditions stabilised,” he said.

Earlier, footage of the storm, reportedly from Sekinchan, went viral, showing houses being destroyed by gales.