Thunderstorm rips off electronic scoreboard at Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium

The Electronic Scoreboard at the swimming complex of the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium here was extensively damaged by a thunderstorm that lasted for about three hours on Tuesday.

The thunderstorm also damaged marquees, canopy and tents set up at the vicinity of the stadium in conjunction with the 2016 Perlis Entrepreneurs Carnival (KUP 2016) to be held from May 25 to 29.

Perlis Sports Council director Saiful Rizal Mohd Sukri said the electronic scoreboard that cost more than RM1 million was installed for the 2014 SUKMA hosted by Perlis.

"The electronic scoreboard fell into the pool and caused extensive damage to the floor while the canvas roof above the pool was ripped off in the thunderstorm," he told Bernama when contacted.

Saiful Rizal said the council would seek the assistance of the Public Works Department to assess the damage.

A visit to the site by Bernama revealed that about 300 canopy, tents and marquees put up for KUP 2016 were ripped off.

Meanwhile, a Civil Defence Department spokesman said more than 70 distress calls were received from various parts of the state.

According to the Perlis Welfare Department, as of 9.30pm, reports received said 244 houses were damaged, namely 167 in Kangar, 40 in Arau and 37 in Padang Besar.

The number of schools, business premises or buildings that were damaged in the thunderstorm has yet to be determined.

However, no reports of casualties has been received.