Bercham Storm Causes Widespread Damage To Homes - MP

IPOH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M. Kulasegaran described the storm which swept through several areas around Bercham yesterday evening as unusual, leaving more than 200 houses across five locations affected.

The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the incident, which had never been reported before, was believed to have been caused by a landspout phenomenon.

“As far as I know, this has never happened in the areas before.

“In recent years, storms that hit several areas here have mostly caused fallen trees or minor damage, but this one is different as the impact is more severe like a small typhoon,” he said when inspecting the victim registration process at Dewan Senator Dato’ Shamsuddin, Kampung Tersusun Tasek, here today.

He said immediate assistance was being channelled to victims with the cooperation of the Social Welfare Department (JKM), village headmen and relevant agencies.

Kulasegaran urged affected residents to lodge police reports to facilitate the aid distribution process.

He said the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department had also been contacted to send contractors to carry out immediate repair works.

“The main concern among residents now is the possibility of continued rain, as many houses have suffered roof damage. We have contacted the ICU to send contractors to carry out immediate repairs, if possible today,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ipoh district police chief ACP Muhammad Najib Hamzah said as of this morning, 240 homes and eight business premises were reported to have been affected by the incident which occurred at about 3 pm yesterday.

“Alhamdulillah, this incident has not involved any loss of life, and we have conducted patrols and closed several areas to restrict movement and ensure the safety of the victims’ homes. Anyone wishing to enter must report to the personnel on duty at the location.

“The action was taken as the areas are busy during the day, with residents cleaning their houses and contractors carrying out repair works. Patrol members, including traffic personnel, have been stationed at these locations to manage the situation,” he said.

Muhammad Najib also said that as of this morning, 121 reports had been received on damage and destruction to houses and property.

However, he said the total losses and the number of those affected could not yet be confirmed as some homeowners were on vacation while others had rented out their homes to third parties.

In the meantime, Perak Civil Defence Force (APM) Special Team chief of operations Captain (PA) C. Sehgar said the department received numerous reports yesterday of uprooted trees, damaged roofs and fallen electricity poles, all of which have since been resolved.

“Clean-up work is being carried out by the Ipoh City Council (MBI) with assistance from APM.

“Nearly 200 houses have been affected, so the APM is working closely with all relevant agencies and the local community to obtain information and provide initial assistance where possible,” he said.

--BERNAMA