The Perak government has hired contractors to begin immediate repairs on more than 200 houses hit by Sunday's (Jan 30) freak storm.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said with the upcoming Chinese New Year public holidays, and with most hardware shops closing early, the state government decided to hire efficient contractors to get the work done by Monday (Jan 31).

He also said each affected household would also be receiving RM300 on Monday through the relevant district office.

“We are hoping the houses that had their roofs blown off would be repaired by today (Monday).

“We don’t want things to get worse if it starts raining and causes more damage,” he told reporters after visiting a residential area affected by the storm in Klebang near here.

Also present was Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Tasks) Datuk Mastura Mohd Yazid.

Saarani said so far, a total of 219 houses in Taman Desa Seri Chepor, Kampung Tawas, Taman Tasik Damai and Kampung Seri Klebang Tambahan had been affected by the sudden storm on Sunday evening.

The freak storm saw the roofs of numerous houses reportedly blown off, while electricity poles and trees were also felled.

Video clips of roof tiles and awnings being ripped away and hurled about by the whirlwind had also gone viral on social media.

Saarani said the cost of all repair works to be carried out would be borne by the state government and Federal Government via the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

He said it was hoped that those whose houses were not badly damaged could use the RM300 provided to get the necessary materials for repairs from the nearest hardware shop.

“As for the major repairs, the contractors will try their best to get it done by Monday or at the latest tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb 1),” he added.

Mastura said the necessary funds would be given to the state government as soon as possible to be distributed to the affected residents.

She said Nadma would also hand out dry food items to all the affected residents on Monday.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by MANJIT KAUR

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