Storm blows antenna tower off roof top, causes gridlock on major roads in Penang (Updated)

Thursday June 13, 2013 MYT 11:11:19 PM

Storm blows antenna tower off roof top, causes gridlock on major roads in Penang (Updated)

By CAVINA LIM

Fire personnel carrying out investigations on the road where the antenna fell

 

GEORGE TOWN: A thunderstorm blew havoc in Penang uprooting trees and causing gridlock on major roads here on Thursday.

The strong winds, which started at 7pm, blew off a 40m section of a pole located on top of the 21-storey Menara Umno in Macalister Road.

Some of the damaged cars after a section of a pole fell after the storm 

 

Trees were also uprooted in several places, falling on parked cars.
In Tanjong Tokong, roof awnings was seen flying off from houses.
Five people including two seriously injured were sent to the hospital.

Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said a man, who was walking up the Air Itam Dam during the storm, died after suffering a heart attack when a falling tree narrowly missed him.

The Meteorological Department said the storm lasted for about one hour from 7pm.
On Macalister Road, a man was seriously injured after the pole fell off the building. At least seven cars and a lorry were damaged by the debris.

Residents looking at their cars that were damaged by the fallen trees

 

Gridlock were reported in several areas such as Esplande, Weld Quay, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Masjid Negeri.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said 23 areas were affected by the storm.

He said the police were working with the other authorities to clear the debris caused by the storm.
He urged the public not to panic.

The Star online 
Thursday 13 June 2013.