Rare hailstones hit Kuching and Kota Samarahan

KUCHING: An unusual weather event unfolded on Sunday as heavy rains and hailstones lashed several areas here and Kota Samarahan, causing alarm among unsuspecting residents.

Amateur footage and pictures taken by motorists along Jalan Tabuan here showed hailstones pounding the roofs of their vehicles, which did not appear to sustain any heavy damage.

It is understood that the ‘hailstorm’ began at 4pm and lasted between 10 and 15 minutes, which was followed by heavy rains.

According to witnesses, the hailstones varied in sizes — some were as big as golf balls while the rest were no larger than marbles.

One witness, who only wanted to be known as Joseph, said he was on his way back to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan when the freak incident occurred.

Joseph said he was shocked when he heard dozens of ‘stone-like objects’ hitting the rooftop of his car.