Cars wrecked, roofs blown off as thunderstorm hits Seri Cempaka PPR in Lembah Pantai

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Residents of the Seri Cempaka People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Lembah Pantai are still traumatised after a thunderstorm wreaked havoc yesterday afternoon, with some describing the wind as being as powerful as a tornado.

Sharifuddin Mohd Fahmi, 35, who has lived in Block A for 15 years, said he was in the youth association’s office with four friends when heavy rain suddenly started, followed by a loud bang.

“We went out to see the situation and it was chaotic. The wind was so strong, it was lashing the cars. Some people managed to get out of their cars, while others couldn’t. 

“Tents were lifted, and parked motorcycles were swaying. The atmosphere was frantic,” he told Bernama at the scene.

Another resident, Noorliyah Baharudin, 34, admitted that she still trembles remembering the scary moment.

The mother of three said that at the time of the incident, she had just arrived at the parking lot and immediately ran to her house in Block F after realising the storm was getting stronger.

“I saw the roof timbers fall and hit other cars. My own car was completely shattered, the front and back windows broke, the side mirror was ripped off, and the roof was dented. At that moment, I recited prayers because the wind was so strong. It was like a tornado,” she said.

However, Noorliyah though grateful to be safe, she is worried about the financial loss, including a wet sofa and a damaged car without insurance.

“Now I have to think about using a motorcycle to get my children to school because my only car is now damaged. I hope there will be assistance from the YB (area Member of Parliament) to lighten the burden,” she said.

Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament, visited the area and said that an initial contribution of RM5,000 would be given to each affected family, along with basic necessities like blankets, pillows, and mattresses. He also assured that all damaged school supplies would be replaced immediately.

He said an initial assessment found that at least four residential units had serious damage, with roofs blown away by the wind, while a number of other units had leaks due to affected structures.

Additionally, 30 vehicles were reported damaged by falling roof debris.

Fahmi said residents of the four severely damaged units would be immediately relocated to vacant units within the same block with the help of a youth organisation.

“The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is currently identifying some vacant units to accommodate them,” he told reporters.

---