Continuous heavy rain can cause more landslides in Puncak Setiawangsa

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — Continuous heavy rain can cause more severe landslides in Puncak Setiawangsa, the site affected by a landslide yesterday, according to the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram). 

Its Chief Operating Officer Mohd Taufik Haron said there has been no serious landslides detected since last Saturday despite occasional heavy rainfall in the area.

“However, occasional rainfall had caused the land structure to be unstable and we are worried if heavy downpour continues in the area, it could cause another landslide,” he told reporters after observing slope stabilisation works in the area. 

He said Ikram would conduct slope stabilization works to minimise the risk of future landslides and to demolished a bungalow which was badly affected by the landslide. 

The decision to demolish two more bungalows nearby would be determined should there arise a need to create a buffer zone for the safety of 27 other houses situated on the hill.  

During the 10pm landslide last Friday, a 50m to 60m concrete wall constructed along the embankment, collapsed, damaging a number of houses in the area. — Bernama