Over 200 residents in four villages affected by thunderstorm

Over 200 residents in four villages here were badly affected by thunderstorm which hit their areas last night and caused severe damage to their houses.

The affected villages are Kampung Pida 2 Megat Dewa, Kampung Kubang Chenor, Kampung Pulau Pak Ubin and Kampung Imam.

Also affected was Sekolah Menengah Sains Kubang Pasu (SMSKP).

A resident, Ramli Harun, 52, from Kampung Pida 2 Megat Dewa, said the roofs of his shophouse were also flown away by the strong winds.

"I was waiting customers in the restaurant located on the ground floor of the shophouse when the thunderstorm hit, which also caused power blackout in the area," he said.

Another resident, Fauziah Ramli, 49, she was watching television with her husband Talib Long, 70, when they heard a loud thunder.

"It was like a typhoon, but I'm grateful that we are all safe," she said.

Meanwhile, SMSKP Principal Ismail Ibrahim said the thunderstorm also caused damage to over 20 classrooms, as well as the teacher's room and the examination hall.

"The most damaged structure was the school's mini stadium as the roofs were completely flown away by strong winds.

"I have lodged a report to the Education Ministry's Boarding School Division for further action and I really hope that repair work can be done soon, so that it will not affect the students preparing for the upcoming Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination," he said.