Group of 13 escapes unhurt when landslide hits bungalow

Nature’s wrath: The family’s three cars coming to rest against the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) bungalow in Tanah Rata in the landslide.

IPOH: Thirteen people in a family escaped injury when a holiday bungalow in Cameron Highlands was hit by a landslide.

Most of them were taking a nap or resting at the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) bungalow in Jalan Tengkolok in Tanah Rata after lunch when they were stunned by a loud rumbling sound at 3.15pm on Sunday.

Lorry driver Johari Kintan, 43, said he and his family members heard a loud noise.

“From the windows, we saw the moving earth swallowing the cars. My brother-in-law and I immediately alerted our family members to leave through the back door.

“We were worried there would be a second landslide and the bungalow might be crushed. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and none of us were injured,” Johari said yesterday.

He added that he and his relatives stayed at a field behind the bungalow and waited until the rain stopped.

However, their cars were badly damaged.

Another car, believed to be owned by a TNB employee carrying out electrical work in the area, was also damaged.

Johari said it had been raining for over two days when they arrived at the bungalow.

“The caretaker told us nothing had happened there for the past 20 years.

“After it happened, we wanted to leave but the cars were damaged and stuck in the landslide.

“We were given another place by TNB to stay in Tanah Rata until we can recover our cars and things,” he added.

The rains also caused a minor landslide on the Cameron High­lands-Tapah trunk road, blocking access near the Bharat Tea Plan­tations in Tanah Rata on Sunday evening.

A Cameron Highlands Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said no one was trapped in the landslide.

Firemen cut through tree branches that collapsed onto the road.

Cameron Highlands OCPD DSP Hasadid A. Hamid advised people to be more alert and careful during the rainy season.

“Park your vehicles in a safe place. It’s the rainy season now, so we have to be very careful especially in the highland areas,” he added.