Edging closer to danger
Residents of Lobak told to evacuate housing area
SEREMBAN: A housing area in Lobak near here has been declared a disaster zone due to soil movement and the 12 families living there have agreed to evacuate.
Negri Sembilan disaster committee chairman Datuk Dr Razali Ab Malik said the soil movement at Jalan Bukit Berlian 5 in Taman Bukit Berlian was caused by continuous rain, which has since worsened.
“At 4am on Dec 1, a slope along the stretch collapsed due to an unusual flow of water following the downpour.
“An initial investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department showed that there was still soil movement in the affected area and this is extremely risky as it can cause a landslide,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said three cars had to be pulled out using a crane after a slope along the stretch collapsed.
Razali, who is also state secretary, said as at noon on Dec 1, a crack along a main road in the area has also widened from just a few centimetres to more than a metre.
He said checks carried out around 8pm on the same day showed that there were further depressions in the ground.
The cracks had also widened due to continuous rain.
Despite the severity of the situation there has been no reports of any casualties.
“A preliminary probe by the department found that the area was unsafe and the 47 residents occupying 12 houses have agreed to move out for the time being.
“Remedial works would also be carried out to repair and rehabilitate the slopes to prevent any untoward incident,” he added.
Razali said since the area has been declared a disaster zone, anyone entering or exiting the area would be doing so at their own risk.
The district disaster control operations centre has been activated and the public can call 06-6011038.