In the nick of time, family home collapses in the blink of an eye

Focus

By NORHASPIDA YATIM

19 Dec 2022 04:04pm

The condition of Mariam's home after it was hit by a storm on Sunday. Photo from Satiful Bahri's Facebook.

DUNGUN – A woman and her three family members have managed to save themselves before their two decades-old home, here, collapsed after being hit by a storm.

The victim Mariam Abdullah, 57, said that the incident happened around 4pm yesterday which caused the entire structure of the house fell into ruin.

Earlier last week, she recounted that the house was damaged in a similar manner only this time, the blow was way worst adding that most of their household items were unsalvageable.

“When the incident happened, my two children and I were inside the house while my sister was sitting outside, it was raining heavily with strong winds.

“I suddenly heard a sound as if a tree branch was breaking. I had a bad feeling and shouted for my children to leave the house.

“Within five minutes the house collapsed in front of our eyes. Fortunately, we all managed to get out, I can’t imagine what would have happened,” Mariam said.

The mother of four said she was grateful that her husband Ismail Md Jusoh, 62, who suffered a stroke, was not at home at the time of the incident.

“My husband had a stroke and other complications, and I can’t imagine if he had been home at the time as it might have taken some time for him to save himself.

“Currently my family and I are staying at our eldest son’s house in Kampung Cacar Baru, Paka, temporarily,” she said.

Mariam said she was at a loss in thinking of a place to live because the house she lived in was a rented one in which the owner permitted her family to stay there for free.

“The house is old and dilapidated. The landlord had told me to demolish the house five years ago.

“I stayed because I couldn’t afford to rent another house,” she said.

Paka Assemblyman Datuk Satiful Bahri Mamat reminded all parties to be vigilant in the aspect of safety throughout the monsoon period.

He said houses located at high-risk areas such as near trees at risk of falling need to be informed to the respective Village Development and Safety Committees (JPKK) for further action.