KUALA LUMPUR: A late afternoon thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain brought down trees in several parts of the city today, triggering a series of distress calls.
As of 9pm, at least 17 trees were reported to have fallen in Jalan Hang Tuah, Bangsar, Pantai Dalam, Wangsa Maju, Setiawangsa, Seputeh, Keramat, and Bandar Tun Razak.
Areas severely struck by the thunderstorm included Tasik Perdana, Taman Rama-Rama, Jalan Tempinis, Lorong Maarof, and Jalan Langkawi in Setapak.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Senior Assistant Fire Chief Mohamad Riduan Akhyar said the Kuala Lumpur Operations Centre was inundated with calls from 3.30pm to report uprooted and fallen trees until about 7pm.
“Firefighters were immediately dispatched to affected areas to remove fallen trees, cut branches, and ensure that roads and public spaces were safe for motorists and pedestrians.
“No injuries were reported, but several vehicles were damaged when struck by falling trees.
“Our teams responded quickly, and all affected sites were cleared to maintain public safety,” the statement said.
The department listed the areas affected by zones.
In the Pantai zone, there were five fallen trees on Jalan Tempinis 3, Lorong Maarof, Simpang Asasi Universiti Malaya, Jalan Medang Kapas, and Lorong Buluh Perindu.
In the Hang Tuah zone, three trees had been uprooted at Jalan Kebun Bunga in Tasik Perdana, Jalan Cenderasari in Taman Rama-Rama, and the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters compound in Pudu.
In the Seputeh zone, two incidents were reported at Sri Desa Entrepreneur Park and the Desa Aman police quarters, followed by the Setapak zone with five similar instances at Desa Putra Condominium, Stadium Café Wangsa Maju, Puspakom Wangsa Maju, Jalan Langkawi in Taman Setapak, and Kolej Vokasional Jalan Genting Klang.
Meanwhile, two other affected zones were Keramat and Bandar Tun Razak, with one incident each at Kelompok Cempaka police quarters and Jalan Midah Tengah.
Residents reported sudden, powerful gusts of wind followed by driving rain that lasted several hours.
The fallen trees left debris on roads, with some even blocking access to nearby residential lanes.
Mohamad Riduan said personnel had also been deployed to assist Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) with follow-up work, including clearing smaller branches, inspecting weakened trees, and restoring access in neighbourhoods where roads were partially obstructed.
“Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue will remain on high alert in anticipation of further bad weather over the coming days,” he assured.
The department reminded city residents to promptly report any hazardous conditions or fallen trees to ensure that removal and safety measures can be carried out without delay.
The incident sparked concern among residents and commuters.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
