Some 127 houses at Kampung Tasek in Ipoh which were struck by a severe rainstorm last week will be having their roofs reattached by the state government starting tomorrow.
According to the Menteri Besar of Perak, Dato’ Saarani Mohamad, the work is to be funded solely by the state government, costing between RM150,000 to RM200,000.
“Some of the parties involved in the effort are Ipoh City Council (MBI), Yayasan Perak, Civil Defence Force (APM) Ipoh, Ipoh District Police Headquarters and the Social Welfare Department, among many other agencies and service centres.
“Victims of the rainstorm were placed at the temporary relief centre (PPS) in Kampung Tasek Community Hall since the disastrous incident last Wednesday (April 14). However, the PPS has been closed since yesterday now that the victims are living with their relatives.
“An assessment by the Kinta District Disaster Management Committee Secretariat and Kinta Land and Mines Office will be performed to determine the levels of damage.”
He told reporters during a media session after the aid presentation ceremony at a futsal court in Kampung Tasek earlier today (April 18).
Also present were the State Secretary Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and the Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin, among others.
Food boxes were also presented to the affected victims, courtesy of Yayasan Perak.
Between 3pm to 5pm on April 14, Ipoh was struck by an unusually heavy rainstorm with strong winds that blew down countless trees and disturbed roadflow around the city.
Kampung Tasek suffered the worst aftermath. Some houses had their roofs blown off, leaving no shade for the residents there.
Syahrul Hisyam Saharin, 49, whose house was reduced to nearly nothing, described the storm as occurring too suddenly.
“I was at home with my family when the storm came, ravaging the roof and main parts of the walls. This phenomenon was my very first experience, since I’ve been living here for the past 18 years,” the father of four who works as a security guard recalled.
“Now, we’ve no choice but to break Ramadan fasting and carry out daily activities at the living room, fully exposed to the weather.
“Thus, I’d like to thank the state government for lending a helping hand during these extremely tough times.
“Nonetheless, the spirit of celebrating Hari Raya is no longer in my mind. All I can think about at this moment are ways to fully restore the house and provide shade and comfort for my family once more,” Syahrul Hisyam expressed.
Chris Teh
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