Persistent Rain Sparks Fear Of Landslides, Threatening Homes

GUA MUSANG, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- A family of six is living in fear as the ground around their house has begun to erode following a landslide caused by prolonged rainfall in Simpang Jerek, here.

Mohammad Hazerel Ashraf Hazelan, 31, said he noticed the erosion around 11 pm last Sunday when part of the road at KM35 along Jalan Gua Musang-Jeli near Kampung Jerek heading to Jelawang collapsed.

He said the persistent rain since morning caused water from a nearby culvert to overflow onto the road.

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“I went out to check the road at KM35 and saw it collapsing. I was shocked that the embankment soil near my house and workshop had also eroded as the water receded from the culvert.

“I rushed to the workshop located in front of the house and moved some equipment,” he told reporters at Simpang Jerek here.

Mohammad Hazerel Ashraf said the landslide was accompanied by a booming roar that startled his wife and children.

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“This is the first time we’ve experienced soil erosion in the seven years we’ve lived here. Water from the blocked culvert during heavy rain caused the soil at the edge of the house to erode,” he said.

He added that the erosion has also put his workshop’s equipment storage area at risk, as part of the ground beneath its foundation has already been eroded.

Meanwhile, Gua Musang Disaster Operations Control Centre chairman Nik Raisnan Daud said the authorities are actively detecting ground movements in areas at risk of further landslides that could endanger residents’ homes.

“We hope the Public Works Department can take preventive measures to avoid further embankment collapses that could threaten the safety of residents living near the landslide along Jalan Gua Musang-Jeli,” he said.

-- BERNAMA