PWD to intensify monitoring of hill slopes

GEORGE TOWN: The Public Works Department (PWD) will intensify monitoring of hill slopes with risk of landslide as part of measures in facing the weather havoc brought by Typhoon Doksuri which is expected to bring heavy rain.
State PWD director Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool said landslides had been reported at 41 locations since last Sept 15.
However, he said, they were not serious and did not affect building structures.
"We will carry out continuous inspection at all hill slopes where they are signs of slope failure, such as leaning tree, dysfunctional drainage system and also cracks," he told reporters during a visit by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to the site of a landslide at Pangsapuri Kayangan Puri Mutiara, Medan Fettes, here today.
Ahmad Redza said cleaning work would be carried out immediately at locations where the landslide occurred and if it obstructed traffic flow, the clearing and cleaning works would take two hours.

According to PWD's standard operating procedures (SOP) for landslide, he said, priority should be given to ensuring the safety or road users and local residents.
"After that, we will clean the slope and ensure the drainage system is functioning so that the rain water will not flow down the slopes. Then, we will cover the slope with plastic sheets to contain the flow of rainwater before taking steps to safe the slope from erosion," he said.
Ahmad Redza advised residents staying near hill slopes to be on the alert and to inform the department or Penang City Council should they see signs of slope failure.
Meanwhile, Lim said the state government would provide financial aid of RM400 to each family affected by the flash flood last Sept 15.
He said the application form would be available next Monday at the offices of the state government elected representatives.

Heavy rain since early yesterday morning caused nearly 50 areas in Penang to be hit by flash floods, with land slides and fallen trees reported in several areas.
The flash flood is said to be the tail effects of Typhoon Doksuri. — Bernama