About 400 residents living near Penang’s Pulau Burung landfill to be evacuated

Photo courtesy of Penang Bomba.

NIBONG TEBAL: Approximately 400 residents from 86 families living near the Pulau Burung landfill will be evacuated for safety reasons.

State welfare and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the decision came after Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited the site on Sunday (Jan 16).

“After going through the reports, the evacuation order has been given. The evacuation will involve 86 families or about 400 people,” he said, adding that the area will then be secured. Phee said the affected residents would be evacuated temporarily to two schools located about 7km from the site.

Among the areas affected are Kg Baru Byram, Kg Changkat, Kg Bagan Buaya, Kg Titi Hitam, Kg Pengkalan, Kg Jawi and Taman Perumahan Desa Jawi.

The fire, which started on Jan 12, burnt through 4ha of the site.

The fire has been brought under control, but residents living in the vicinity have been warned to take precautions against the toxic smoke emanating from the fire.