Strong winds divert two MASwings flights
MIRI: Two MASwings flights were diverted to their respective bases yesterday due to the torrential rain and strong winds that hit Miri and Kota Kinabalu since Thursday.
MASwings spokesperson confirmed this when contacted around 3pm yesterday.
MASwings flight MH3476 ( Miri- Limbang) was estimated to arrive in Limbang Airport at 1.10pm, while MASwings flight MH3071 ( Kota Kinabalu- Labuan) was estimated to depart Kota Kinabalu International Airport ( KKIA) at 2.05pm.
The spokesperson added that no flights were cancelled yesterday (Oct 20), but flights could be cancelled should the bad weather worsens in the future.
Torrential rain accompanied by strong winds have caused devastating damages to many roads, buildings and uprooted trees on Thursday afternoon and yesterday morning at various locations here.
MCC mayor Adam Yii, who is still overseas on a working visit, expressed his regrets and sympathy to the people affected by the disaster.
In Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah government is closely monitoring the situation and seeing to it that the destruction caused by the strong winds in the west coast would be repaired soonest.
Continuous heavy rains and strong winds since Wednesday night have resulted in several roads in Sabah flooded and trees uprooted, causing widespread traffic and power disruptions.
The State Disaster Relief Committee and the district-level committees have been activated to assist those affected by the storm.
Relevant authorities at the state and federal levels are also monitoring and updating the public on the weather conditions in areas affected by the heavy rain and strong winds through channels such as the social media.
According to the Meteorological Department, the recent weather condition affecting Sarawak and Sabah is due to south west winds being drawn into typhoon ` Lan’, which is presently hitting north east Philippines.
“This condition may cause strong winds of up to 60km per hour and rough seas with wave as high as 4.5 metres (15 feet) and dangerous to small boats and coastal activities,” said MET.