A woman was crushed when a storm came out of nowhere in Kuala Lumpur, causing a tree to fall. The woman, who has not been identified as of right now, was in the path of the tree and could not escape.
The area is currently going through a monsoon transition phase, putting an end to the smog and haze in big cities but causing major floods, storms, and potential mudslides for many areas.
As of now, the woman’s death is the only fatality reported due to this storm in particular. It is not uncommon for residents to get caught up in dangerous situations during this time.
Flash floods have caused major evacuations in three states today, as many new relief centers open up to welcome those who cannot return to their homes at this time.
The 41-year-old Indonesian woman was apparently walking in front of the main entrance to the University of Malaya, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when the tree fell on her, crushing her instantly. There was nothing local paramedics could do – by the time they arrived, she was already gone.
Three cars were also damaged at the same time.
If you’ve never heard of a monsoon transition phase, you probably don’t live in an area that sees a lot of monsoons!
This phase lasts between September and November, usually, and marks the end of the Southwest Monsoon seasons in Malaysia. Areas affected usually see moderate winds, storms that can turn quickly, and potential flooding.
For many residents, this is a good thing – heavier rain can clear up haze, smog, and other air pollutants that have been hanging around, and bring much-needed rain to crops and areas without.
But it comes with a price, as is clear. Over a thousand people have been evacuated this week from their homes across several states, and this weekend could bring even more rain and damaging winds.
Particularly old buildings and weak infrastructure are expected to take the worst of the damage, and state officials have already warned residents to be more alert during this time and to pay attention to news predictions and weather warnings.