48 houses vacated in landslide zone

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of 48 houses in Taman Mega Jaya have been told to evacuate for safety concerns following landslides there.

The names of those who died in the landslide have also been released. They are Chong Siew Kim, 85, E. Ramasamy, 58, A. Mahendran, 36, and Mohd Saiful Ridzuan Ishak, 37.

The survivor, 85-year-old Kim Cheng Kim, who was rescued from the rubble, is still being treated at the Ampang Hospital.

Hulu Langat district officer Dr Ani Ahmad said no time frame has been set for when the evacuated residents can return to their homes.

“The situation is under control but we have to assess the situation first because there could still be land movement. For now, the issue is the stability of the land on the hill,” she told a press conference at the scene of the landslide on Thursday.

“An evacuation centre has been opened about 10km away but right now, no victims have reported themselves yet. We are working with our officers to determine the number of affected residents but, on average, if you take five to a household that’s over 200 people and we have the space,” she said.

Many residents have opted to stay at their relatives’ place or at other accommodations, she added.

An inter-agency strategy involving all relevant authorities such as the police and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council will also be formed to manage works and logistics, she added.

Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Farouk Eshak, who was at the press conference said that they would focus on patrolling the area to keep the houses safe.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said the department deployed Special Tactical Operation and Rescue teams from here and Ipoh as part of the search and rescue efforts, which lasted until early yesterday morning.