Heavy rain, strong winds sweep through Kuching, uprooting trees and disrupting traffic

Uprooted trees at Mile 5, Jalan Penrissen completely blocked traffic on July 19, 2024. Photos credit: Sarawak Edition

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 19: Heavy rain and strong winds late this afternoon wreaked havoc across several parts of Kuching city, with uprooted trees leading to severe traffic congestion during the rush hour.

In several posts shared by netizens on Sarawak Edition social media, fallen trees along Mile 5, Jalan Penrissen before SK Hardware had completely blocked the road leading towards Kuching.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 3.30pm, resulting in a massive traffic jam stretching from Mile 7, Kota Sentosa towards Kuching Central bus station, with vehicles and even motorcycles unable to pass.

Some motorists were stranded for nearly an hour by 5pm.

Firefighters and APM personnel removing fallen trees at Mile 5 on July 19, 2024. Photo credit: Netizen/Zaza Vaizura Zidiee

Firefighters and Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel were dispatched to the scene to remove the fallen tree and clear the debris to restore traffic flow.

Additional reports indicated fallen trees near the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Kuching quarters entrance opposite Hornbill Skyway and on Lorong Bunga Kemuning in Matang, close to MetroCity.

Firefighters removing fallen trees at Matang. Photo credit: Sarawak Edition

A car parked at Waterfront Kuching damaged by fallen tree on July 19, 2024. Photos credit: Sarawak Edition

Firefighters from Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Petra Jaya Station and police from Gita station have responded to the emergency at Matang.

At Waterfront Kuching, the rear windscreen of a parked vehicle was shattered by a fallen tree, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. — DayakDaily