GEORGE TOWN: Soil movement continues to be detected at a landslide site in Paya Terubong despite dry weather.
Northeast District Officer Isma Suhaimi Shariff said preliminary findings indicate that a leaking water channel and a clogged drain caused water to accumulate and triggered a landslip that killed a 73-year-old doctor.
ALSO READ: Paya Terubong landslide leaves one dead, two unhurt
He added that a heavy crane and a large concrete block at the site are at risk of falling if the ground shifts further.
“Work near the affected area has been halted due to safety risks,” Isma Suhaimi said, noting that exposed slopes would be covered with plastic sheets as an immediate measure to prevent water penetration during heavy rain.
ALSO READ: Stop-work order issued after fatal Paya Terubong landslide kills man, 73
Following the incident, six houses involving five families have been ordered to evacuate. A community hall in Paya Terubong has been activated as a temporary relief centre.
The evacuation is expected to last several days while authorities await technical assessments from the Penang Island City Council, the Minerals and Geoscience Department, and the Public WorDepartment totto determine if the homes remain safe for occupation.
Meanwhile, a stop-work order has been issued against a nearby development project involving road and apartment construction.
