Some residents do not want to overstay their welcome
SUBANG JAYA: Heavy rain over the past two days has worsened the damage to the houses caused by the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights here.
“Due to the heavy rain, we noticed that the ‘holes’ in the structure have turned into ‘waterfalls’. Water is spilling from the walls,” said homeowner Nor Azlina Ariffin, 52.
She made the discovery during a joint inspection with Tenaga Nasional Bhd, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Subang Jaya City Council.
The damage, she said, had been exacerbated by heavy rain.
Showing a video to reporters that was taken during an inspection at her home, Nor Azlina pointed to damage from a hole in the ceiling with water flowing down.
Yoke Ling, another homeowner, shared Nor Azlina’s concerns.
According to her, there has been no progress in getting their homes fixed.
“We have just been waiting. Some of us are falling sick,” said Yoke Ling, who is in her 40s.
Both women were of the view that government agencies are doing a “great job” but called for better coordination with regard to aid allocations.
“There has been an influx of information about the forms to fill out and so on. But many of us are not staying at the evacuation centres. We are staying with friends, family and even at hotels.
“We can’t be expected to be at different places at the same time.”
Several other residents, who did not want to be named, said that some of them are planning to move back to their homes “out of desperation”.
“We can’t go on staying with friends and relatives,” one resident said.
He also pointed out that the relief centres are running out of space.
However, he said they are more concerned for their safety as they feel that their houses are unfit for occupancy until a thorough inspection is carried out by building experts.
Most houses have damaged roofs, and the tiles are falling through the ceiling, he said.
The proper way to check the damage is to appoint qualified building inspectors instead of giving it a mere look, he added.
