Hailstorm blamed for LRT service breakdown

Hail stones found at a building in Sg Besi.

PETALING JAYA: The power disruption which had caused Putra Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains to temporarily stop operations was due to a hailstorm that hit Kuala Lumpur on Friday. 

In a statement issued by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad for Rapid KL, it said that services at three sub-stations - Sungai Besi, Bukit Jalil and Bandar Tasik Selatan - were affected after a hailstorm hit power stations on Friday evening, causing a power failure. 

“While services between Cheras and Sri Petaling stopped from 6.24pm, train services continued with longer waiting period between Awan Besar and Bandar Puteri,” said its chief executive officer Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin. 

The company said that all trains except for one were left stranded at the platforms and passengers were disembarked.

It also said that Rapid KL buses were dispatched to evacuate passengers at affected LRT stations but this was hampered due to heavy traffic caused by fallen trees. 

“We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers due to the unfortunate incident,” said Ahmad Nizam.