Gale-Force Winds Uproot Trees
By Ben Ng

Bandar Seri Begawan - Many trees were uprooted and roofs were blown off houses as the capital experienced squally weather accompanied by a lashing rain last evening, bringing misery to some residents while keeping the Fire and Rescue Department personnel on their toes.

"We received 21 emergency calls with reports of trees that had fallen onto houses," an official from the Fire and Rescue Department said.

The Department also received reports of roofs being blown off as a result of the strong winds that took the residents by surprise.

"Seven calls were made regarding roofs that had been blown off," the official added.

A signboard in the Gadong commercial area was also reportedly blown off its hinges.

Flights in and out of the capital, however, were unaffected, national air carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines, said yesterday.

"All our flights are on schedule," said a spokesperson for the airline.

The Meteorological Department, however, was unavailable to comment.

A resident of Kg Sungai Tilong said a tree came crashing down around 5.50pm in her simpang (120-12) when she was about to leave for work.

"I called the Fire and Rescue as I and many other residents in the simpang could not get our vehicles out as the tree fell across the road.

"The Fire and Rescue personnel came at around 7.30pm to remove the tree and clear the road. Apparently, they were attending too many emergency calls," she said.

Another tree was uprooted near the Limau Manis mosque leading to traffic snarls in the area. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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