IT was not the first landslide in the area but the one that occurred yesterday at Km13 of Jalan Ipoh in Selayang is causing much worry and concern among the residents in the area.

The residents’ primary concern is their safety after the landslide closed the entire three-lane road leading to Rawang from Selayang, with soil covering about 70m of the road. It happened at 2.45am after a downpour the day before.

Adnan Ahmad, 37, from Jelutong Apartment in Selayang Heights said although there were no casualties, the residents were worried about the frequent landslides that occurred in the area.

He said the slopes had weak soil structure.

Due to that, whenever there was a downpour, it was easy for landslides to occur.

“However, this incident is the worst. The authorities should do something about it.

“Whether it is soil strengthening or getting all hillside developments to stop, something has to be done,” he said.

As proof of the weak soil at the slopes, Adnan pointed out that a water retention pond in the area was filled by soil from the slopes whenever there was a downpour.

Meanwhile, Taman Templer assemblyman Datuk Subahan Kamal said there was also a crack on the trunk road in Selayang Heights.

Although complaints were made to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and the district office, no action was taken.

“This is also worrying. Why should there be cracks on a road? The cracks were covered up with tar but perhaps there should be a study to find out exactly why the cracks appearead in the first place. Covering up is of no help.

“The trunk road is also located near the steep slope. So residents are worried,” he added.

Subahan also voiced his concern over the development that was taking place at the top of the slope that gave way.

“There are developments at the hilltop and some contractors who are involved in the road work told me that there were no soil strengthening done at the slopes,” he said.

Help arrived at the location at about 3am after the incident at 2.45am.

The K9 unit did not find any victims. At 8am, the Smart team arrived and conducted the Delta Life Detector test and found no movements at the landslide rubble.

Work to clear the landslide began after 9am and the road, which was earlier closed to traffic, is expected to be re-opened by 7am tomorrow.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, who visited the site, said the slope management unit and would study the slopes along Km13 of Jalan Ipoh to determine the cause of the landslide.

He also urged MPS to issue a stop-work order to projects near the affected slope.

Light vehicles like cars and motorcycles from Rawang heading to Selayang are now able to use a slip road near Selayang Court exiting through Bandar Baru Selayang.

The landslide blocked the entire road and traffic had been from Rawang to Selayang had been diverted .

At 11am, only traffic from Rawang heading towards Selayang was allowed to use the slip road. However, traffic from Selayang heading towards Rawang has to use the NKVE to get to Rawang for now.

According to Selayang Heights Landslide Ground Commander ASP Mohd Asri Md Akhir, the road is only opened to light traffic because it is a small road.

“At the site, we are waiting for the mud to be cleared by the Public Works Department (PWD) and hopefully the road will be open as usual by tomorrow.

“The PWD, police, Selayang Municipal Council, Fire and Rescue Department have excavators there with lorries moving earth from the site,’’ he said.

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