IPOH: More than RM1.2mil in losses are estimated to have been incurred by residents whose homes were damaged in the freak thunderstorm that struck Bercham on Friday (June 19).
Bercham assemblyman Ong Boon Piow said the incident affected about 460 houses and more than 1,000 people from some 460 families.
“If we take into account the compassionate aid provided by the Social Welfare Department, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the penghulu’s office, affected families receive RM1,000 from the federal government and RM300 from the state government through the penghulu’s office.
“The total amount of compassionate aid disbursed is already around RM400,000. That is only for minor cases, but the actual damage could be three times higher. Based on that, we estimate the total losses to be about RM1.2mil,” he told reporters during a site visit here on Tuesday (June 23).
Ong also urged homeowners who do not have fire insurance to consider obtaining coverage.
He also said that the Housing and Local Government Ministry had contacted him to obtain details of the affected homes.
"We hope that the ministry can provide assistance, including rebuilding a home for the elderly victim whose house suffered total loss," he said.
Ong said many residents had already repaired their homes with the help of contractors they knew, especially those with minor roof damage.
“Only a few houses remain unrepaired because the owners cannot afford the repairs. Some do not have insurance and are waiting for assistance.
"Fortunately, I have received calls from several companies willing to help repair these homes, but they first need to assess the damage and obtain quotations. In the meantime, some victims are staying with relatives,” he said.
On the electricity supply, Ong said almost all disruptions had been resolved.
“Power supply has largely been restored. As of last night, only the streetlights were still not functioning because many of them had been damaged. We thank Tenaga Nasional Bhd contractors who are carrying out repair works today,” he said.
On Friday, at about 3.40pm, a freak thunderstorm struck Bercham, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees and toppling electricity poles, causing widespread power outages.
Among the affected areas were Hala Tasek Timur 1 (22 houses), Lorong Bercham 19 (22 houses), Dataran Tasek Timur 6 (177 houses), Lintasan Tasek Timur 1 (two houses), Lintasan Tasek Timur 3 (two houses), Hala Tasek Timur 34 (10 houses) and Laluan Tasek Timur 15 (five houses).
