Storm causes destruction in Ipoh, damaging homes and injuring five people

IPOH, May 18 — A storm that hit Ipoh yesterday evening damaged eight houses at Lebuh Rajawali in Kampung Dato’ Ahmad Said Tambahan 2, though most residents escaped unscathed.

The most serious incident occurred at Jalan St John, where the roof of a garage collapsed on five people who had taken shelter there. One person reportedly sustained a broken arm.

According to the Kinta Civil Defence Force (CDF) district operations control centre (PKOD), the storm, which began around 5pm, brought strong winds that tore off house roofs throughout parts of Ipoh City.

CDF received an emergency call at 5.53pm and dispatched five personnel to the scene.

“The incident was caused by heavy rain and strong winds lasting about two hours, resulting in damage to eight houses. Fortunately, there were no fatalities,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the storm also uprooted trees, one of which fell on a vehicle along Jalan Raja Ashman near Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB).

“We received an emergency call at 5.52pm and arrived four minutes later to find a Perodua Viva crushed by a fallen tree. The two people inside were shaken but uninjured, and the area was cleared of debris,” he said.

Firefighters from both the Pasir Putih and Ipoh Fire and Rescue Stations responded to calls during the storm.

“In the most severe case at Jalan St John, the collapse of a garage roof injured five people. Three suffered minor injuries, while one individual with a broken arm has been sent for treatment,” he added. — Bernama