‘We could hear the ground move’
‘HORRIFIC’: Part of Taman Idaman neighbourhood disappears into sinkhole
Fire and Rescue Department personnel
ALOUD noise, described as similar to a “huge explosion”, jolted the residents of Taman Idaman in Serendah here from their beds early yesterday morning.
In total darkness as there was no power, the residents slowly braved the night to discover that part of their neighbourhood — the size of a football field — had disappeared into a sinkhole.
Hulu Selangor, yesterday
A resident, Mohd Fakhrul Razi Yusof, 29, recalled getting a frantic call from his wife moments after the incident.
“Our house is located next to the landslide and I was at work when it happened.
“My wife’s voice was trembling as she told me that a tree has fallen near our house and that there was a loud noise outside of the house.
“Worried about my family’s safety, I drove home and found a huge hole just right next to my house and the residents were in a state of panic. Luckily, my wife and children are safe,” he said.
“I will move my family to a relative’s house in Sungai Choh,” he told the New Sunday Times, adding that he planned to search for a new house to rent.
Stall owner Normah Ninggal, 48, whose stall had been swallowed up by the landslide, described the moment as horrifying.
“I was cleaning my stall at the moment of incident, and I heard a loud noise. When I turned to where the sound was coming from, I saw the cars parked beside my stall sink into the ground and the earth had given way.
“Right after that, my children and I ran towards our house and we were shocked to see the trees shaking and the ground caving in, making a huge sinkhole.
“Even though I have lost my stall, I am grateful that my family is safe,” she said.
Another resident, Amirul Hakim, 18, said he panicked when he saw the stalls and cars falling into the sinkhole one after another.
“It was horrible... we could hear the ground movement. This is the first-ever landslide incident in Serendah,” he said.
Taman Idaman Residents Committee head Mohd Mohd Noor said during the incident, there was unusual sounds of trees cracking outside his house.
“When I came out of the house, the stalls at the corner of the road was no longer there, together with the car park.
“I hope the authorities will come up with a solution as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the residents and their belongings,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Malek Mohd, 70, said he was woken up by his neighbour during the incident.
“When I stepped out of my house, I saw people flocking to the end of the road... they kept saying that there was a landslide and people were panicking.
“I quickly called my wife and ran to the scene. That’s when I saw the huge hole. I could not believe my eyes. After that, I saw my black Proton Iswara dangling from the edge of the slope,” he said, adding that he suffered a loss of about RM5,000. Mohd Mohd Noor Taman Idaman Residents Committee head
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