IPOH: A food vendor fled to safety while preparing food orders after heavy rain and a storm, believed to be a waterspout, struck several areas in Bercham here.
Abdul Malek Kua Abdullah, 60, said strong winds suddenly picked up, sending zinc roofing sheets and debris flying through the air during the incident at about 3pm.
“Rain started pouring and the wind grew stronger. I saw rubbish and zinc sheets flying in the air, so I immediately ran into the house because my wife was inside while my child and grandchild were upstairs.
“As soon as I got inside, the situation became more alarming when parts of the roof were torn off and rainwater started pouring into the house.
“I immediately told my wife and children to leave because I was worried the house might collapse, and we sought shelter elsewhere,” he said.
Abdul Malek said large sections of the roof were blown away and some zinc sheets were damaged.
He said mattresses, beds and belongings upstairs were soaked as water leaked into the house, while a cabinet between two rooms collapsed, causing extensive damage.
“My late father lived here for more than 50 years and this area has never experienced a storm like this.
“I had just moved in three months ago and never expected something like this to happen,” he told Bernama at Dewan Senator Datuk Shamsuddin in Kampung Tersusun Tasek Ipoh.
Retired teacher Soriahidayat Mohammad, 70, who has lived in Alor Tasik Timur for more than three decades, described the storm as the worst he had experienced in the area.
He said he and his family had just finished lunch when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated between 2.30pm and 3pm.
“The wind and lightning were very strong. When we opened the door, we saw all sorts of objects flying around. The storm lasted less than 10 minutes, but the damage is significant.
“After it subsided, water entered several parts of the house, including the bedroom and dining area. An awning at the side of the house collapsed, while the strong winds also dislodged roof tiles,” he said.
The storm damaged more than 200 houses in seven residential estates around Anjung Bercham and toppled several electricity poles and trees.
