The situation at the site of the incident in Taman Bunga Raya, Jalan Genting Kelang-Kem Wardiburn, in Kuala Lumpur. (Inset: Mohamad Lazim) - Photo courtesy of Sinar Harian
KUALA LUMPUR: Fifty-two residents from 17 houses in Taman Bunga Raya, Jalan Genting Kelang-Kem Wardiburn, have been ordered to evacuate their homes following a landslide on Thursday (Aug 22).
The Wangsa Maju District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Lazim Ismail, told Sinar Harian the evacuees, consisting of 26 men and 26 women, were instructed to leave their homes due to concerns about a potential subsequent landslide.
Some residents chose to stay with relatives or in hotels, he said when met after the handover ceremony of the Dang Wangi District Police Chief at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters on Friday (Aug 23).
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Mohamad Lazim added that no homes were directly affected by the incident, but one house was situated about 0.6 meters from the collapsed slope.
On the advice of the fire department, residents in the 17 affected houses were advised to relocate as the area remains at risk, he said.
The landslide was reported to have occurred at approximately 5.30pm on Thursday following over two hours of heavy rain in the capital.
On Friday morning, the fire department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) resumed their cleanup efforts. The affected slope area has been covered with canvas.
On Thursday night, the fire department could not enter the affected area due to ongoing minor soil movements, so inspections and cleanup were carried out on Friday morning, he said.
Mohamad Lazim added that a mobile police station had been set up at the location to monitor the situation alongside the fire department, the Civil Defence Force and DBKL.
The Social Welfare Department also assisted in coordinating the evacuation of all affected residents, he said.
On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department reported that part of a retaining wall had collapsed, impacting one house, but no injuries were reported.
