GEORGE TOWN: A violent squall struck several parts of Penang and Kedah, causing damage to properties and trees to be uprooted.

Weather apps with satellite imagery showed that the storm began from the Straits of Melaka and first hit Balik Pulau on the western side of Penang island with winds exceeding 50km/h at 4am yesterday.

(During the southwest monsoon, squalls can occur, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.)

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the freak storm caused the roof of a flat block in Taman Tun Sardon, Gelugor, to collapse onto seven cars at about 4.30am.

“When the enforcement team arrived, they found the vehicles damaged,” he said.

Rajendran added that the MBPP Skuad Pantas conducted operations to clear the area to ensure it was safe and passable for traffic.

The roof of a flat in Taman Tun Sardon (left) was blown away during the storm that hit the area at 4.30am. — Photos courtesy of MBPP

He said the storm had also uprooted trees in several areas on the island such as Lengkok Bawah, Tingkat Besi, Jalan Gurdwara, Paya Kongsi and Lebuhraya Batu Maung.

Rajendran said that Skuad Pantas was also deployed to clear debris and the fallen trees.

He told reporters that no casualties were reported.

The storm had also caused damage at several places in Kedah, particularly in Kulim and Sungai Petani, during the early hours of yesterday.

The affected areas in Kulim included Jalan Mahang, Sungai Lembu, Taman Cendana and Jalan Selasih.

A Civil Defence Force spokesman said teams were sent to clear roads blocked by the fallen trees, adding that some tents belonging to traders at Dataran Kulim were also damaged.

He added that no major incidents were reported in Sungai Petani.