Temporary evacuation centre opened as storm damages apartment in Bintulu

BINTULU: Authorities have established a temporary evacuation centre (PPS) to accommodate 24 families whose homes were affected by a storm at Iris Garden Apartments on Jalan Sultan Iskandar on Thursday (Jan 18).

Bintulu District officer Muhammad Dino Amid said that the Balai Raya Kampung Assyakirin Phase 1 PPS was opened at 4pm to provide shelter for 108 residents from the six affected apartment blocks.

He mentioned that another PPS at Kampung Jabai Assembly Hall could be activated if more residents seek temporary shelter.

“Until now, we are still collecting information and the number of affected residents,” he said when met at the scene.

The incident prompted federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister and Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to instruct his service centre team to assess the situation on the ground.

Tanjong Batu assemblyman, Johnny Pang Leong Ming also rushed to the scene upon being informed about the incident.

Strong winds occurred around 2pm, causing the roofs of six blocks at Iris Garden Apartments to be blown away. The incident also led to damages to three vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Videos shared by the public depicted alarming conditions with cloudy skies as the roofs of apartments were forcefully displaced by strong winds, some crashing into residents’ vehicles.

Additionally, various locations in Bintulu town experienced similar incidents, with roofs of houses and premises, tables, and food stalls being blown away.

The aftermath of the strong winds that blew off the roofs of six apartment blocks at Iris Garden Apartment on Thursday.