The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Spokesperson Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang said he and some members of his family yesterday survived a ‘sudden death’ when a strong wind uprooted a tree within his compound.
Lul said he and four other family members survived the incident since they were under the balcony.
“I had just returned from work when the incident occurred. My cousin’s wife, her three children and I survived because we were shielded by the veranda. We were sitting under the veranda when the wind uprooted the tree,” he explained.
According to Maj Gen Lul, the incident occurred at his compound at Hai Mauna residential Area in Juba.
He said if they had sat under the tree, the phenomenon could have turned into a catastrophe.
On Friday at 4:30 PM, strong winds swept through several residential areas in the city.
Damages
Maj. Gen Lul stressed that the strong wind’s burden had resulted in serious damage to his family’s Satellite Dish for Television Euro Star and damage to parts of roofing iron sheets.
He said some residents in the neighborhood had reported that their iron sheets roofing was also blown off by the wind.
Positivity
The army spokesperson said he was contented that he survived the unexpected occurrence.
“I am happy that I survived with my extended family members, the wife to my cousin and her three kids,” he said.
Cautions
Maj. Gen. Lul urged the general public to be extra vigilant with any emerging winds in the course of the rainy season, especially when clouds are developing.
“The other caution should be carefulness. This is the beginning of the rainy season, so the conclusion is that people in Juba and other cities in the country should be very extra careful when they see the clouds are covering and the winds are very strong. They should take caution,” Gen. Lul advised.
The army official advised people to be vigilant due to bad experiences related to string winds.
In October 2016, two people were killed and 10 others injured by strong winds at the protection of civilian site in Wau Town of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
This was after the roof of a clinic constructed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was then reportedly blown off as iron sheets scattered, killing two and injuring others.
Lul stressed that “This is the beginning of the rainy season and the rainy season are accompanied by the strong winds and sandstorm,”
The City Review also witnessed Friday’s heavy wind
Lul reiterated that “when the clouds are gathering and there are feelings that the winds are very strong, the people should be taking cover because they never know what might happen.”