Repeated landslips raise safety concerns

A 50m-long steel sheet piling being installed to stabilise the soil condition at Pangsapuri Suria in Taman Kinrara after a landslip occurred on March 7. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PANGSAPURI Suria residents in Section 4, Taman Kinrara, Puchong are living in fear following two landslip incidents last week.

Paul Naidu, 39, said the first landslip happened after continuous heavy rain on March 7 around 7.30pm, causing a section of the perimeter fencing next to the monsoon drain to collapse.

The walls of the drain also eroded.

He said they highlighted the incident to Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and a few councillors along with officers from MBSJ Engineering Department and Selangor local government, public transport and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han came to inspect the area.

Fire and Rescue Department officers were also present to check if the area was safe for occupants.

Pangsapuri Suria consists of five blocks of five-storey apartments comprising 300 units.

“After the inspection was conducted, we were told that the landslip happened because of the high water level in the main monsoon drain which caused its wall to collapse,” he added.

Paul said MBSJ proceeded to instal a 50m-long steel sheet piling to stabilise the soil there.

However, just three days later on March 10 at around 2am, another landslip took place close to the first incident.

“I heard a loud cracking sound so I went to investigate and found that it was another landslip.

“I sent photos to MBSJ’s Engineering Department and they arrived later that day to check.

“The officers said they would focus on repairing the impacted area first and would ask the contractors to check on the soil movement but until now, we have not received any feedback.

“There are cracks throughout our apartment and we are worried the situation will worsen,” Paul told StarMetro.

Another resident, real estate agent Rekha Muniappan, 38, said since 2018, the joint management body (JMB) had sent out reports with photo detailing cracks on the walls of the apartment building to various authorities, including the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office and various ministries.

However, there was no response.

The JMB then sent another report to MBSJ’s Commissioner of Buildings but once again, no action was taken.

“We feel if proper checks were carried out then, all this would not have happened,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ng told StarMetro that MBSJ’s Engineering Department carried out checks on the premises after the first landslip occurred on March 7 and found no new cracks.

“The strong sheet piling is a permanent solution.

“We will still monitor the situation and if needed, the sheet piling will be extended further to protect the wall of the drain,” he said.

“The landslip happened because of soil erosion caused by the high water level and strong current during heavy rain.

“The important thing to do now is to prevent the wall from eroding further,” Ng added.

StarMetro reached out to MBSJ but it has yet to comment at press time.