Pregnant mum among 4 dead in Perlis storm
KANGAR: A pregnant mother, due to deliver her baby yesterday, was among four who died as a fierce storm swept across Perlis on Monday, causing heavy damage to houses and schools.
Siti Azmah Abdul Khalid Mustafa, 27, and her husband, Muhammad Hafiz Johari, 28, died in a two-vehicle accident in Bukit Chabang, Padang Besar.
Their child, 4, sustained injuries and was treated at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah.
Constable Muhammad Amirul Naim Aziz, 24, the driver of the other vehicle, died at the scene, while his wife and two children were injured.
State police Management Department chief Superintendent Mohd Nor Marzukee Besar said Amirul was on his way home to Seriab after visiting his in-laws in Padang Besar when the crash occurred.
A State Disaster Management Agency secretariat spokesman said 92 houses and 38 schools were damaged in the storm.
Among the worst-hit areas were Bintong, Seriab, Abi Tok Hashim and Kuala Perlis, with losses estimated in the millions.
The spokesman said as at 10am yesterday, the agency received 157 reports of fallen trees.
“The secretariat, together with other agencies, such as the police, the Fire and Rescue Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, are carrying out repairs and cleaning up badly-hit areas.
“During the storm last night (Monday), strong winds with a speed of 37 knots (68.7kph) were recorded, causing damage to structures, including the Repoh arch, and trees.
“The disaster management operations room received reports of six accidents, of which two were fatal.”
He said the authorities would prioritise clean-up exercises and remove fallen trees to restore traffic flow.
“We are monitoring houses that were badly damaged and efforts to assist residents are underway.
“We are prepared for any possibility in the event of unpredictable weather.”