PUCHONG: More than 200 roads nationwide could be badly affected by floods or landslides during the coming north-east monsoon, says the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
Its director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said these roads have a history of being hit by floods or landslides as are close to rivers or low-lying areas.
Pahang had the highest number at 79, followed by Terengganu (49), Kelantan (44) and Selangor (29).
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“There is a possibility for these roads to be cut off. They were identified by district Public Works Department with the necessary measures taken to ensure preparedness,” he said during a recent media briefing on the preparations for the north-east monsoon.
According to the Minerals and Geoscience Department’s data, the critical slopes in Selangor included Taman Desa Pelangi, which is situated about 10km from Kampung Dusun Tua and Taman Desa Sentosa in Hulu Langat, which has a history of landslides.
In Pahang, the critical slopes included Taman MCA, Taman Jasmine, Kg Kea Farm, Sg Tiang and SK Terisu in Cameron Highlands.
On Jan 6 this year, a landslide in Cameron Highlands temporarily cut off roads near there.
Weather watch: Abdul Halim speaking at a briefing about preparations for the north-east monsoon at the Nadma headquarters in Puchong. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
In 2021, a two-hour downpour triggered landslides in several areas around Tanah Rata, causing roads there being blocked.
At the same time, landslides in Ringlet caused roads in Taman MCA and Taman Pelangi to be cut off but there were no casualties or loss of properties.
On a related matter, the Minerals and Geoscience Department said 263 critical slopes have been identified nationwide and are being monitored in real-time.
Sabah has the highest number with 36, followed by Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perak (25 each), Sarawak (21), Selangor (20), Negri Sembilan (19), Penang (16), Kedah (14), Melaka (six), Perlis (four) and Kuala Lumpur (two).
Of this, 93 were classified as high risk, 87 moderate risk and 83 low risk.
States with the highest number of high risk slopes are Perak (18), followed by Terengganu (16) and Selangor (15).
“Those marked high risk require immediate mitigation measures by local authorities while those in the low category will be monitored.
“While landslides do not occur as often as floods, they (landslides) will be devastating. Not only properties will be lost but also lives,” said the department’s Planning and Management Division director Abdul Rahim Harun.
He said the department utilises a combination of early warning systems, including closed-circuit television systems to monitor the slopes, rain gauges and sensors that record land movement.
“The rain gauge helps record rainfall and once a threshold is reached, we will issue a warning on the possibility of landslides,” he said.
Abdul Rahim noted that a total of 57 landslides occurred during the 2024-2025 north-east monsoon season, resulting in nine deaths.
During the period, the highest number of landslides were recorded in Sarawak (17), followed by Terengganu (15), Sabah (12), Kelantan (five), Pahang (four), Selangor (two) and Perak (one).
Citing department records, he said some 6,697 landslides occurred, claiming 678 lives between 1961 and September this year.
Through the years, Perak had the highest number of landslides recorded with 1,716, followed by Selangor (1,493) and Pahang (1,106).
The most recent landslide in Malaysia was in Sabah, claiming 13 lives.
Abdul Rahim said landslides can occur due to various reasons, including heavy rainfall, land movement or even moisture accumulating in the soil.
“The hotspots are also monitored round the clock. Once a critical slope is mapped, we will know the potential of whether a landslide will occur there.
“Among the mitigation measures are the installation of debris flow barriers where applicable, but more importantly, it is about educating the local communities nearby,” he said.
He added that the department’s response teams are stationed nationwide to enhance monitoring and preparedness against possible landslides or debris flow.
The north-east monsoon is forecast to begin this month and expected to last until March next year.
A La Nina phenomenon has also been forecast to occur during the period with Sabah expected to feel the brunt.
