Ipoh city council cuts down 100 trees deemed unsafe after freak storm

 

A resident repairs the roof of his house damaged in Sunday’s freak storm in Kampung Tawas, Ipoh. (Bernama pic)

IPOH: The Ipoh city council has felled 100 trees considered to be unsafe following the tornado-like freak storm on Sunday.

Ipoh mayor Rumaizi Baharin said the trees would be replaced with others that are sturdier and safer.

“We have decided to prune some of the trees since the roots are not deep.

“We are worried that if the roots are not strong enough, the trees may fall and hit passing vehicles,” he told reporters after visiting Kampung Tawas and Taman Tasek today.

A total of 219 houses in Taman Desa Seri Chepor, Kampung Tawas, Taman Tasek Damai and Kampung Seri Klebang Tambahan Jaya were damaged in the storm. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Rumaizi said the council had channelled an initial allocation of RM40,000 for items to repair the damaged houses.

“Since the night of the incident (on Sunday), we have been doing cleaning and repair work. We will assess the damage from time to time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chinese New Year celebrations this year in Kampung Tawas were not as lively as before.

The only noise heard was that of people repairing house roofs and structures damaged in the storm.

Lee Yoon Theian, 70, said the start of the Year of the Tiger, which would have been celebrated with a big bang, was a sad day for him.

He said he would be staying at home although preparations for the festivities had been made in advance.

“My wife and I are afraid to go out anywhere, we are too worried about being robbed. There will be no big dinner plans either. I have accepted this situation,” he said. - FMT