Evacuated families in dilemma without house, car

Remedial work to instal metal piles in the landslide area. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star

A HOUSEowner affected by the landslide in Taman Wawasan, Puchong in Selangor, wants her two cars “rescued” from her house porch as soon as possible.

The victim, who wanted to be known only as Khoo, said there were cracks on the ground near her porch and she feared it would give way.

“I saw the cracks when I came back to take my belongings. I have already lost two cars in the landslide. I do not want to lose more.

“I hope the authorities will speed up their efforts in retrieving my cars,” she said.

Khoo and her family were among the nine households that were forced to evacuate after a sinkhole appeared in front of their houses and swallowed four cars on Dec 16.

She said her family was living with a relative temporarily and having a tough time without a car.

“My employer has kindly allowed me to work from home for the next two weeks but I still have errands to run.

Evacuated residents can access their house from the back door but they cannot drive their vehicles out as work is being done.

“I am now using ehailing rides to get around. Fortunately, schools are having their holidays now.

“However, when the school term resumes next month, I need my car to send my two children to school,” she added.

Khoo said the landslide victims were keeping each other updated via a social media chat group and hoped the authorities would improve their communication methods.

“It was rumoured that the remedial works might take up to six months.

“We need concrete information to make arrangements to rent a house for a specific period,” she said.

Another landslide victim, known only as Dev, also wanted to know when he could return to his house.

“I run my own business from home and travel a lot for work. My income is affected as I do not have a base now.

“My wife and son are now living in a relative’s house nearby but I feel uncomfortable with the arrangement.

“I have been sleeping at a hotel and in my car.

“I need proper information from the authorities to plan proper temporary accommodation for my family,” he said.

Dev said each household was given RM1,000 aid from the office of Subang MP Wong Chen on Monday.

Due to lack of information from the authorities, another resident Lim Wai Choon, 30, said the affected residents were taking turns to visit the landslide site to get details so they could update their social media group chat.

StarMetro visited the site on Tuesday and saw various activities on site. Police and firemen were also present.

Serdang OCPD Asst Comm A.A. Anbalagan said the contractor had been given two weeks to complete the installation of 375 metal piles along a 150m stretch.

“They have installed 74 units so far.

“They are being installed on both sides of the affected stretch first before we move towards the middle, as advised by the Minerals and Geosciences Department,” he said.