Landslide Hits Taman Melawati Residents Amid Long-Standing Concerns

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Residents of Taman Melawati have long expressed concerns about the rapid flow of water from a nearby hill during heavy rain, and their fears were realised this morning when a landslide occurred on Jalan E6 in their housing area.

Retired soldier Tajul Ariffin Chu Zahari, 69, said that residents have repeatedly raised their concerns with the local authority (PBT) since last year, urging for immediate action.

"There are two areas where water flows, one of which is at the site of today’s landslide. When it rains heavily, water rushes down from the hill,  filling the front of residents' homes with mud," he said when met at the scene.

He added that while the PBT had conducted inspections, they deemed the issue to be a ‘minor case’ that did not pose a significant threat.

Shireen Nik Ibrahim, 54, another resident living just 50 metres from the hill, claimed that several minor landslides had occurred previously, raising further concerns for her family, who have lived in the area since 2000.

“Every time it rains, my family and I feel unsafe due to the frequent small landslides. Today’s incident was the largest since I moved here,” said Shireen.

 She recounted that at around 9.30 am, she was on her way to work when she received a call from a neighbour about the incident, along with screams believed to be from her daughter at home.

“My daughter was in the car on her way to work when she saw a tree fall. She quickly got out of the car and ran to a neighbour’s house to seek safety. The landslide occurred twice, leaving her severely traumatised,” she said.

As a result of the incident, the guardhouse in the housing area was also affected, and the main access to 20 terraced houses was completely cut off.

Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail confirmed that the residents of the 20 houses in the affected area had been instructed to evacuate their homes as a safety precaution.

He added that all affected residents were currently being relocated to the Multi-Purpose Hall in Jalan E5 in Taman Melawati.

As of 3.30 pm, cleanup efforts, including the removal of fallen trees, were actively underway, involving residents and assistance from local authority, including the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Public Works Department.

-- BERNAMA