Danger slopes under close watch

PETALING JAYA: The more than 1,000 slopes along federal routes at risk of landslides this rainy season are being closely monitored by the Public Works Department (JKR), says its deputy director-general (infra sector).

Datuk Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool said there are 1,045 slopes along federal routes in the peninsula currently under JKR’s radar, having been identified as Very High Risk Slopes.

“Pahang, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor have been identified as the states with the most number of hotspots for slope failures,” he said when contacted recently.

Some of the hotspots are located along federal roads at FT004 East-West Highway, FT055 Jalan Kuala Kubu Baru-GAP-Tranum, FT059 Jalan Tapah-Ringlet, FT068 Jalan Gombak-Bentong Lama, and FT185 Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley-Lojing-Gua Musang.

To keep road users safe, Ahmad Redza said the department is carrying out active surveillance of weather events, tight inspections on the state of roads and slopes, as well as round-the-clock readiness for disasters or disturbances.

“During this monsoon season, JKR has also increased the frequency of inspections and patrols of slopes and roads, particularly in hazardous and high-risk slope locations by the district JKR,” he said.

Visual techniques of monitoring are used, such as increasing inspections on the roads and slopes.

On-site work is also currently being done to identify every slope area based on the hazard and risk maps that need to be improved, said Ahmad Redza.

In the event of any disturbance, district JKR is available around-the-clock and prepared to mobilise anytime to ensure that all access points are secure and that appropriate precautions, such as warning signage and a traffic management plan, are taken.

JKR, a member of the national disaster management committee, collaborates closely with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and other governmental organisations such as the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Meteorology Department, and others to channel information on the state of the nation’s road infrastructure through Nadma, Ahmad Redza added.