THE metal deck roof of some 15 houses in Taman Semanja, Kajang, Selangor, were damaged during a downpour on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 4.45pm, when residents were startled by loud crashing sounds as sections of metal roofing were torn off by strong winds.
One affected resident, Carolynn Yap Phooi Mun, 36, said her solar panels had prevented part of her roof from being blown away.
“My family was in the living room when it happened.
“First, the gate-arm broke, causing the gate to swing open in the wind.
“Then we heard a loud crash and realised the roof and ceiling were partially damaged.
“Rainwater poured into the master bedroom and the upstairs living area,” she said, adding that the family quickly moved bedding and furniture into rooms that were not affected.
Yap later arranged for a contractor to remove the solar panels so that roof repairs could begin.
“Many houses were hit by the strong winds.
“All the damaged homes are in Phase A of the development.
“I wonder if the developer used materials suitable for the weather here,” she said, adding that Phase A was less than 10 years old and that homes built later in Phase B had concrete roofs.
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) councillor Sangeetha Chandra Mohan, who also lives in Phase A, said her property was not spared.
“My roof shifted during the rain and started leaking.
“A metal sheet flew off and struck my car, shattering the rear windscreen.
“I managed to get a contractor to patch the roof the same day,” she said.
Although most of the destruction was confined to Phase A, some Phase B homes were also affected.
Kumar Thangaveloo, 46, who lives in a corner unit, said two of his master bedroom windows were damaged.
“When the rain grew heavier, I rushed to move my puppies from the porch into a cage.
“That was when I heard a loud noise upstairs and was shocked to see two windows had been damaged.
“Fortunately, the glass did not shatter because I had installed tint film on the panels,” he said.
The damaged windows caused his master bedroom to flood, with water seeping through the plaster ceiling.
“I got a contractor to carry out temporary repairs that evening, as I was worried it might rain again.
“Now, I’m looking to undertake permanent repairs,” he added.
