LAP Pipes Not Cause Of Taman Bunga Raya Landslide - Exco

GOPENG, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The landslide in Taman Bunga Raya, near Tapah, on Tuesday (Feb 4) was not caused by damaged underground water pipes belonging to the Perak Water Board (LAP), said state Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said that before the incident occurred, the water flow in the pipeline to the Bukit Temoh Water Treatment Plant (LRA) was smooth as usual.

"Inspections found that the underground water pipes belonging to LAP suffered leakages due to the collapsing soil. If the LAP pipes burst, we would have identified them much earlier because there would have been reduced pressure on the water flow to the LRA.

"The cause of the landslide involves many factors, such as soil movement due to nearby water sources and tremors but claims that the cause of the landslide was due to LAP-owned underground pipes are not accurate,” he told reporters here today.

He said this after visiting the freshwater fish breeding pond at HTA Jalan Kampung Jawa, Kampung Changkat Tualang, which was also attended by National Institute of Entrepreneurship (INSKEN) Board of Trustees chairman Mustaffa Kamil Ayub.

Mohammad Nizar said the LAP had taken immediate steps to ensure the pipes were repaired soonest possible, besides initiating prevention measures. 

"Work on the retaining wall (sheet piles) has already been completed for the two upper levels to hold back the collapsed soil and the lower part has been completed.

"So far, we have been able to restore supply in stages to areas that were initially disrupted by leaking water pipes,” he said.

He said the leakage of pipes carrying raw water to the Bukit Temoh LRA had resulted in the whole of Bidor and Tapah suffering water supply disruptions, including several areas in the Hilir Perak district. 

"We have been told that water supply to the affected areas is almost fully restored,” he said.

-- BERNAMA