Cars wrecked by fallen trees in evening KL storm

 

WHILE many vehicle owners opt to park their rides under shady trees, Pusparani Navaratnam, 52, is one who always prefers to park in the open.

"I have a fear that a falling tree will damage my car. My friends tease me for being overly cautious," she said.

On Friday (Dec 23) evening, however, a huge branch from a tree along Jalan Sri Jati 3, off Jalan Puchong in Kuala Lumpur, fell and damaged four cars parked beneath a tree following an evening of heavy rain.

Though relieved that her car was not damaged, Pusparani, who owns a restaurant on Jalan Sri Jati 1, said she hoped that the incident would prompt Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to take immediate action and either trim or cut down old trees in the Taman Sri Jati area.

She pointed out that the tree whose branch had broken off was located just beside a traffic light.

"I dread to think what might have been if one of its branches fell while vehicles were waiting for the lights to turn," she said.

She said that DBKL had put up a notice earlier that tree-trimming exercise would take place on Dec 26.

Henry Yap, 28, who runs a tyre and car repair shop on Jalan Sri Jati 3, said his company car and his client's luxury car were two of the four vehicles damaged by the fallen branch.

"I have called the owner to inform him of the incident. He has seen the videos too. Naturally, he is heartbroken.

"Many of the trees growing here are old. A few months ago, another tree branch broke off on Jalan Sri Jati 1," said Yap.

Kuala Lumpur Civil Defence district officer Major (CD) Ahmad Junaidi Dukut Soerharto said the volunteer team received six reports of fallen trees in Sri Petaling, Jalan Kelang Lama and Sentul following the heavy rain which started at 3pm Friday.

"So far, six cars have been damaged. Two in Taman Bamboo, Jalan Ipoh and four in Taman Sri Jati.

"We have also received reports that an unknown number of vehicles were also damaged by fallen tree branches at Kuchai Lama Business Park," said Ahmad Junaidi.

A team of no less than 10 civil defence members arrived at the scene at Taman Sri Jati at 8.30pm and took about three hours and the use of several power saws to clear fallen branches from the wrecked vehicles.

No injuries or loss of lives were reported. - Star