KUCHING, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Heavy rain and violent storms that hit several areas in this district yesterday forced the closure of the N6 Metrocity 2 Youth Night Market following severe damage to infrastructure and vendors' tents.
A vendor who wanted to be identified as Mohamad Faisal, 42, recounted the terrifying moment that occurred during the weekend night peak business hours which is usually the focus of many visitors.
He said the sudden incident forced vendors to flee to save themselves following strong winds that blew away and demolished the canopy structure at the site.
"I was walking to my site, and I didn't dare to approach (enter the site). I and other traders ran away because I was afraid that other canopies would hit us.
"The situation at that time was very dangerous because the canopies were flying in front and behind, and there was even a canopy that was flying in front of the people," he said when met by Bernama at the N6 Metrocity Youth Night Market site, last night.
The traders who have been operating at the night market for the past 10 years estimate they have incurred losses of almost RM2,000 due to broken and damaged business equipment and merchandise.
Meanwhile, N6 Metrocity 2 Youth Night Market deputy chairman Hamzah Hassan confirmed that the incident was one of the worst incidents to hit the business site compared to several previous natural disaster situations.
He said it was estimated that more than 40 trader lots were severely affected due to damage to canopies and sales equipment out of a total of about 300 trader lots operating at the night market
"This incident is the worst that has happened. Apart from the damaged, broken and blown away canopy of the traders, public facilities and infrastructure of the association such as the main stage, management office and electricity supply cables also collapsed and suffered damage.
"Each trader is estimated to bear losses of between RM2,000 and RM5,000 for the cost of the canopy alone depending on the size and structure, not including damage to business equipment such as stoves and water jugs," he said.
Hamzah said the management welcomed any form of contribution and assistance from relevant ministries, elected representatives and cooperatives to ease the financial burden that the affected hawkers have to bear.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) issued a thunderstorm warning from 5 pm to 9 pm for several areas in Sarawak including Kuching, Serian, Siburan, Samarahan, Simunjan, Kapit and Song.
-- BERNAMA