KUALA LUMPUR – Residents of the Seri Cempaka People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Lembah Pantai were left reeling on Monday evening after a violent thunderstorm ripped through the neighbourhood, leaving a trail of destruction that many likened to a tornado.
Roofs were blown off, vehicles were crushed under falling debris and families were forced to abandon homes that had suddenly become unlivable.
The storm, which struck with little warning, caused extensive damage to at least four housing units after their roofs were torn away by strong winds.
Many more reported leaks and water seeping into their homes as weakened structures gave way.
Outside, the chaos was just as severe. Thirty vehicles were left damaged after being hit by flying debris or falling roof panels and authorities are still verifying the total number of losses.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, visited the scene shortly after the storm.
He announced that immediate assistance would be channelled to the affected residents.
“Residents in the four affected units will be relocated immediately to vacant units in the same block with the assistance of youth organisations,” he said, adding that each family would receive RM5,000 in initial aid along with essentials such as mattresses, pillows and replacements for school equipment damaged in the storm.
Fahmi also directed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Fire and Rescue Department to reassess the safety of Blocks E and F after residents complained of leaks and flying glass shards.
Although no roofs were destroyed in Block F, one resident was injured by broken glass, highlighting the risks posed even to units not directly damaged.
Safety tape has since been installed around the most hazardous areas to prevent further accidents, particularly involving children.
The storm’s impact was felt beyond Seri Cempaka. In nearby areas, a small fire broke out at Dewan Gasing Indah but was quickly extinguished, while fallen trees at Jalan Pantai Murni and Taman Lucky Garden disrupted traffic and heightened the sense of chaos.
For some residents, the destruction stirred memories of the past.
Fahmi said locals told him that a similar storm had struck the area 15 years ago, raising questions about whether the housing project’s design and construction standards are resilient enough to withstand the increasingly erratic weather patterns Malaysia is facing.
“We will ensure that aspects of design and construction are re-examined to prevent a recurrence,” he said.
With climate change contributing to more frequent and severe storms, the question is no longer only about immediate disaster relief but also whether the housing policies and urban planning are keeping pace with environmental realities.