THREE evacuation centres in Seberang Prai and George Town have been opened to house 71 people after a thunderstorm and strong winds damaged their homes over a two-hour period from 10.30pm last night.

According to state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, at 8.30am this morning, 22 people from four families were in the Masjid Kuala Juru evacuation centre in Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT), while the evacuation centre at Dewan Kafa Kuala Juru was housing nine people from two families.

The remaining 40 residents from seven families living in Mutiara Idaman Satu apartments are taking refuge at the Masjid Hashim Yahya evacuation centre in George Town. 

The storm, the tail end of Typhoon Lekima, brought winds of more than 100km/h, also hurt two motorcyclists who were struck by falling trees in separate incidents in Juru and George Town.

They are being treated at Seberang Jaya Hospital and Penang Hospital, the latest of seven people hospitalised by the storm.

According to a Seberang Prai Municipal Council spokesman, there were no reports of flooding but the council received reports of 128 fallen trees in 98 locations, with five of the trees falling on homes, three damaging cars and 120 trees blocking road access.

There were also reports of 206 houses in the area that suffered roof damage. – Bernama, August 10, 2019.