STRONG STORM IN HILIR PERAK SEES SEVEN LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY FALLEN TREES

IPOH, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Heavy rain and strong winds struck the Hilir Perak district this evening, causing trees to fall in seven locations around Teluk Intan and nearby areas.

The Hilir Perak District Operations Control Centre (PKOD), in a statement, said the storm hit between 6.30 pm and 8 pm, affecting several areas within the Durian Sebatang and Sungai Durian subdistricts.

"Initial reports indicated that the affected locations included Taman Melor, Sungai Kerawai; Kampung Padang Tembak; Kampung Esso and Lorong Pinang in Batak Rabit; Taman Melor in Teluk Intan; SMJKC San Min, Teluk Intan; and Simpang 3, Kampung SC Belt.

"So far, seven reports of fallen trees were received through the MERS hotline and public complaints between 7.16 pm and 8.12 pm," read the statement.

It added that Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) members were conducting operations to clear all fallen trees reported through MERS and public channels.

Meanwhile, the Bagan Datuk PKOD, in a separate statement, said that several incidents involving fallen trees and minor damage to residential areas and educational institutions occurred in the area.

Among the affected locations were Jalan Sabak Bernam in Hutan Melintang, Politeknik Bagan Datuk, Jalan Bagan Datuk Pekan Simpang Tiga, Jalan Bagan Pasir, Lorong 7 Taman Bagan Pasir, Tebuk Cik Agus, Jalan Bagan Sungai Burung, Kampung Parit Datang and Lorong 57, Batu 25, Jalan Kuala Perak, Selekoh.

"A total of nine cases of fallen trees have been recorded so far, including in residential areas and main routes. The first case was received at 7.04 pm involving a fallen tree in the Hutan Melintang area before several more reports were continously received in other areas until 9.15 pm," the statement said.

The Bagan Datuk PKOD added that APM members were still carrying out operations on fallen tree complaints received through the MERS line and from the public.

-- BERNAMA