The Great Langkawi Storm

One of the big tree fell on the path to the mood deck

After the kayaking and cycling, all we wanted to do was to have a quiet time in the hotel room. When I was done with my shower, I switched on the TV. Crazy Rich Asian was playing. Not bad.

While I was enjoying the movie, I could hear loud wind noises coming from outside. The area behind our room was a hill front with trees. The wind was more deafening from there. Rather than being terrified, we thought that it was normal to have this kind of storm here. After all, this was an island open to the elements. We did not think much about it. Just contemplating what to have for dinner. Shall we go out for the buffet, or shall we only order in? We decided to call in but would do that a bit later.

The pool was in a mess the next morning

This guard post was a goner

Even the spa sign was not spared

Then the messages started to flood in. Everybody asking if we were OK. Apparently, the storm was a big one, with plenty of damages across the North. Pantai Cenang, where we took the boat to Rebak Island, was severely hit with fallen trees and damaged houses. Some of the trees fell onto cars, and others blocked the road. Some major clean-up work was needed then.

The problem was not just in Langkawi. Flights were being diverted from Penang and damages were reported from Kangar and Alor Setar as well. We checked the videos on YouTube, and we could not believe what we saw.

The next morning, when we were heading to breakfast and to take another boat ride into the main island, we could see some trees toppled as well. The swimming pool was strewn with leaves and rubbish. A small area near the lobby was cordoned off due to falling branches up top. The path leading up to the moon deck was blocked. Trees also fell on the guard post where we stood the evening before after our bicycle ride.

It broke at the base

That needed clearing

Caution …

Exploring the mood deck

No damage at the marina though as the area was sheltered from the open water. As we made our way to Kubang Badak for the next day’s activity, we could see what a mess the storm brought ...

Back at the resort, I chatted with one of the groundsmen who had been with the resort for the past 15 years. He had never seen a storm like this and the clean-up they had to do may take a couple of weeks. Luckily there was no significant damage to the resort, although they had to bring some heavy equipment in to clear up some of the fallen branches ...