BALIK PULAU: Jalan Tun Sardon (Bukit Baru) will be closed until further notice following six new landslides.
State Infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said initial plans to reopen the road at 6pm on Saturday (Oct 25) have been postponed until further notice for safety reasons.
“Six more landslides were recorded between Saturday (Oct 25) morning and noon. The Public Works Department’s technical team has been deployed to the area to conduct further investigations.
“Clearing works that started on Friday (Oct 24) have also been temporarily halted due to continuous rain," he said in a statement on his official social media page.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
A landslide on Friday (Oct 24) along Jalan Tun Sardon caused trees to fall and block the road.
The terrifying moment was captured on a vehicle’s dashboard camera, with the driver narrowly avoiding the landslide.
In addition to the critical slope failure at KM5.10 of Jalan Tun Sardon, the stretch of road recorded 15 open slopes, seven fallen trees, four rockfalls and one instance of road subsidence.
Meanwhile, Association of Tourist Attractions Penang (Atap) chairman Chng Huck Theng said road closures around the island have impacted tourism in the state.
“The downpour has been so bad the past few days that it is deterring visitors from popular sites.
“This, coupled with several roads in Penang being temporarily closed, has affected tourists, especially those heading to places like the Fruit Farm in Teluk Bahang,” he said.
Chng said that as it is the weekend, closures would further affect these businesses.
"Some of them have reservations and busloads coming in from other states.
"We hope for some clarity so that we can explain (the situation) to our members and the public who wish to visit these popular sites," he said.
Multiple landslides and slope movements were reported in various areas on Friday, including Pearl Hill, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Paya Terubong, Teluk Bahang, Teluk Kumbar and Bukit Bendera, causing multiple road closures for clean-up and safety purposes.
State Public Works Department director Datuk Ahmad Nadzri Abdul Majid said three main hotspots have been identified - Jalan Tun Sardon in Balik Pulau, the Balik Pulau Federal Road in Teluk Bahang and the Tanjong Tokong-Batu Ferringhi Federal Road.
