Works minister says 15 schools in three districts damaged in KL storm
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The heavy thunderstorm in the national capital yesterday damaged 15 schools and military housing units, sending some roofs flying and toppling trees in the vicinity, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said today.
He said the Kuala Lumpur Public Works Department (JKR) is carrying out checks and further investigation to determine the type and level of damage to the 15 schools and advised that they be closed temporarily for safety reasons.
“For now, JKR has advised schools including teachers and students to avoid entering the affected area until the safety of that location is determined first,” he said in a Facebook post.
He said his ministry via JKR will work closely with the Education Ministry to ensure that efforts to investigate, restore and control safety will be coordinated well and as soon as possible.
Seven out of the 15 affected schools are under the Pudu district education office: SMK Desa Perdana, SK Yaacob Latif, SK Salak South, SK Danau Perdana, SJKC Jalan Imbi, SK Cochrane and SMK (P) Methodist.
Another six are under the Keramat district education office: SK Setapak, SK Kg Bharu, SMK Puteri Wilayah (Asrama), SMK Seri Titiwangsa, SK Kementah and SMK Taman Melati.
The last two schools are listed under the Sentul district education office: SMK Jinjang and SK Seri Nilam.
Nanta said the Works Ministry has also received reports of damage to military housing units in the city from yesterday’s storm, listing the Rumah Keluarga Angkatan Tentera at the Batu Cantonment Camp.
He said the roof and awning at some units went flying off in the strong winds.
He said JKR will work with the armed forces to carry out inspections and assess the damage for further action.
Yesterday, national news agency Bernama reported the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia as saying that the heavy storm had caused 18 vehicles to be damaged by trees that had toppled, and that no fatalities had occurred from these incidents.
Locations where the trees had fallen were at Jalan Kampung Attap, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Taman Bukit Angkasa, Pejabat Kesihatan Kepong, Jalan Ayer Jernih, Flat Wangsa Maju, Bayu Mont Kiara, Bukit Kiara, Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, Jalan Ampang near Muzium Istana, Jalan Istana and the Sentul district police headquarters, Bernama reported.
