Volunteers sawing off fallen branches after they fell on a parked car in Butterworth, Penang. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK GEORGE TOWN, Penang — Pandemonium swept through Penang when storms caused over 200 roadside trees to topple, crushing cars, damaging homes and putting motorists’ lives in danger. The northern region of Malaysia has been lashed by storms since Sept 15 and on Sept 17 morning, bouts of strong winds toppled more trees onto passing vehicles on many roads.
The intense wind whipped up the sea too, and in the clan jetties off Pengkalan Weld, a walk away from Penang island’s ferry terminal, violent waves tore up the planks on the jetties. READ: Strong winds, heavy rain batter Singapore Built in the 1900s, the clan jetties stretch offshore for over 100m and people live on wooden homes along these jetties, which are tourist attractions. Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng advised tourists not to visit the clan jetties in the near term till repairs were made.
“Volunteers have been dispatched to monitor and arrange for repairs where necessary. “For safety, we advise visitors to refrain from visiting the jetties and coastal areas during high tides,” he said. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow called for all motorists to be vigilant as trees fell in 90 places and three houses and eight cars were damaged on Sept 15.
READ: Southeast Asia battles floods, landslides as death toll passes 200 “On Monday (Sept 16), fallen trees were reported in nine locatio.