Heed landslide warning signs

Works Ministry highlighted public to look out for “early warning signs” for landslides in their residential areas in view of the current inter-monsoon season as there are 21,000 landslide-prone areas that have been identified nationwide.

Among the signs are new or widening cracks on structures in or outside the home; to be wary of concentrated water overflowing onto slopes; bulges on cement or concrete surfaces of slopes or signs of soil erosion.

76% of the 21,000 landslide-prone areas are in peninsular Malaysia, followed by about 3,000 in Sabah and 2000 in Sarawak state by Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor. He added, “We want to remind road users and people who reside in hilly areas that the risks of landslides are higher during the rainy season. They must inform their local authorities if there is any sign of soil erosion and evacuate immediately,” during a visit to a landslide location at Cameron Highlands.

State Works Department especially in Perak have been instructed to be on alert for signs of possible landslides and residents reminded to look out for trees which fell on their own or stones or debris falling from slopes. Furthermore added, “There is no need to panic. Just understand the early signs,”

“Inventory” on all landslide-prone slopes in the country to come up with a comprehensive map detailing all the 21,000 areas is being conducted by the ministry which include data on the type of soil, slope history, level of danger and risks involved and whether it has ever collapsed before.

RM221.6mil of the RM360mil allocated by the ministry to protect slopes this year and projects along Jalan Simpang Pulai-Lojing-Gua Musang-Kuala Berang route that are consider high risk areas were among completed ones.

Shaziman also highlighted that RM84mil had been allocated for remedial work on this stretch alone and areas in Sabah were most difficult due to its landscape. Public Works Department’s Slope Engineering Unit head Dr Che Hassandi Abdullah also state that data collection process for the inventory was expected to be done by June next year.