KULAI: Immediate assistance will be provided to 60 families in Felda Inas and Felda Bukit Permai after their homes were damaged by a thunderstorm here on Saturday (March 26).

       Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the incident occurred at about 6.30pm and that initial aid has been provided by the Welfare Department and the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ).

       “I have visited the location and there are some families that are in need of immediate assistance as parts of their houses had been damaged during the thunderstorm.

       “About five houses in Felda Inas and six houses in Felda Bukit Permai were partially destroyed after a tree fell on top of their houses,” he said when contacted here Sunday (March 27).

       The Bukit Permai assemblyman said a few of the settlers' houses are covered by insurance, and that they are required to lodge a police report.

       “Some houses suffered broken roofs and minor damage that can be immediately repaired.

       “Our main concern right now is the B40 families, and we will provide them with any assistance they need,” he said, adding that some of the locations have been cleaned up by the villagers during a gotong-royong programme in the morning.

       Meanwhile, Kulai Fire and Rescue Department operation commander senior officer Bakhtiar Selamat said the department had cleared the fallen trees at the locations.

       “Eight personnel were deployed to the location to cut the trees using a chainsaw,” he said, adding that the operation ended at 7.45pm.