Firemen inspecting the soil depression and cracks in the area.
SEREMBAN: Twelve families living in a housing area in Lobak near here have temporarily moved out after authorities declared the area a disaster zone due to soil movement.
Negri Sembilan disaster committee chairman Datuk Dr Razali Ab Malik said the soil movement at Jalan Bukit Berlian 5 in Taman Bukit Berlian was caused due to continuous rain since early Dec 1, which has since worsened.
"At 4am on Dec 1, a slope along the stretch collapsed due to unusual flow of water following the downpour.
"An initial investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department showed that there was still soil movement in the area and this is extremely risky as it can lead to a landslide," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 2).
He said a crane has to be used to pull out three cars after a slope collapsed on Thursday.
Razali, who is also state secretary, said as of noon Thursday, a crack on the main road had also widened from just a few inches to about two feet.
He said checks at 8pm showed that there were further depressions in the ground and that the cracks had widened further.
"A preliminary probe by the Fire and Rescue Department found the area unsafe and 47 residents occupying the 12 houses have agreed to move out for the time being.
"Remedial work will also be carried out to rehabilitate the slopes," he said.
Razali said since the area has been declared a disaster zone, anyone entering or exiting the area does so at their own risk.
He said the district disaster control operations centre had been activated and the public can call 06-601 1038 for enquiries.
Firemen inspecting the soil depression and cracks in the area.
Cracks on the main road widened due to continuous rain.
A crane had to be used to pull out three cars from a ditch after a slope collapsed.
A crane had to be used to pull out three cars from a ditch after a slope collapsed.
