Fire station among buildings damaged in Kepala Batas thunderstorm

 Two schools and 70 houses are also affected, with most having their roofs blown off.

The aluminium ceiling at the Kepala Batas fire and rescue station was blown off by strong winds during a 20-minute thunderstom that hit the area yesterday. (JBPM Penang pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

 The Kepala Batas fire and rescue station was among several buildings damaged after a thunderstorm hit the area yesterday.

Photos shared by the Penang fire and rescue department showed the station’s aluminium ceiling blown off by strong winds.

The department said two schools and 70 houses in the area were also affected, with most having their roofs blown off.

A tree which fell in Hospital Kepala Batas’s compound damaged two cars.

“Nearby stations were being mobilised to Kepala Batas for clearing and patrol works,” the department said in a statement.

Among the areas affected were Permatang Sintok, Kampung Kovil, Taman Bertam Jaya, Kampung Permatang Bertam and Kampung Guar Chempedak.

Kampung Kovil and Kampung Permatang Bertam recorded the highest number of property damage, with 20 units affected in each location. - FMT