A storm, coupled with rain battered several areas here on Wednesday evening, uprooting trees and damaging the roofs of several buildings.

Among the areas reported to have been affected by the 5.30pm incident were Taman Kenari, Taman Ria Jaya, Taman Ria, Sungai Petani old town and Jalan Kuala Ketil-Sungai Petani.

Sungai Petani Fire and Rescue Department chief, Rosdi Ismail said the Paya Nahu housing area was among those areas badly affected.

"The roof of a four-storey block was blown away by strong winds," he said, adding that the department received more than 20 emergency calls from residents of several housing estates in the district.