The day the earth moved
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Clearing up: A portion of Jalan Bukit Antarabangsa was closed to traffic as developer Superview Development Sdn Bhd carried out works to clear up the drain and place tarpaulin sheets during another landslide in 2000.
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The landslide which occurred in Hulu Langat on Saturday has got those living in hillslope areas rattled. StarMetro revisits Bukit Antarabangsa, Ampang, in which a major landslide took place in 1999, leaving thousands trapped in their homes for a few days. Recently slope-strengthening work was carried out at the area, however, residents are divided whether there is a need to “disturb” the slope.
Slope-strengthening work has finally started along the steep slope near Jalan Wangsa 1, the access road leading to Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang, where a major landslide took place 12 years ago, cutting off access to the area for thousands of residents.
The owner and developer of the land, Superview Development Sdn Bhd, is undertaking the work.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) engineering department director Hasrolnizam Shaari said the developer had submitted a detailed engineering design for the slope work last year and approval was given on March 17.
He said the plan also received the nod from Ikram, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the Public Works Department’s slope branch and the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia.
Hasrolnizam said there was no further plans to develop the slope by Superview Development.
“They will use the rock-bolt technique to strengthen the slope. An estimated 50 bolts will be drilled into the slope, securing the 100m stretch,” he added.
“Drains will be built on the stretch of the slope to ensure rain water no longer seeps into the soil and the whole project is expected to be completed this year,” Hasrolnizam said.
The council will continue monitoring the site that consists of Class III and IV slopes.
Hasrolnizam said since 2008 there had only been two incidences of rocks and trees that were too heavy falling in the area.
MPAJ public relations officer said according to expert reports there were several causes for the landslide.
“Two of the main reasons are unstable land that consists mostly of clay and heavy rain causing a large volume of water gushing down the slope,” she said.
The incident that took place on May 15 1999 saw two landslides — one completely covering part of Jalan Wangsa 1, the only access road then to Bukit Antarabangsa, and another in Jalan Wangsa 3, a road atop the steep slope.
Matters were made worse as the earth movement had caused two main water pipes to burst, leaving the trapped residents without supply for days.
The incident also spurred the Cabinet into agreeing to tighten environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements.
Ikram, using a 20-strong team, did a comprehensive study to come up with a report submitted to the state executive council then stating the the landslides was due to man-made error though no details were given.
Residents, who are more savvy today regarding their environment and slopes after the incidents, recall seeing signs of bad drainage on the slope before the landslide.
Single mother Tita Mohd Noor, 62, said the lower part of the hill was always flooded, an indication of bad drainage in the area.
She said when the landslide occurred, it sounded like a lorry dumping debris and it came as a shock to many residents who were trapped on the hill for two days.
Financial consultant Francis Arulanandam, 60, said when he was looking down at the mess of the first landslide in Jalan Wangsa 3, the road in front of him caved in as well.
“I am one of the first residents of Bukit Antarabangsa in 1989. Since the landslide I get nervous whenever it rains heavily,” he said.
Tita said it was common for large trees to fall along Jalan Wangsa 1 during heavy rain.
“I usually call the MPAJ and ask them to trim the trees,” she said, adding that she would prefer the entire place remain a green lung without any more projects.
Another resident Jit Singh said whenever it rained heavily a stream of mud would gush down the slope togather with the weeds and undergrowth at the site where the landslide occurred.
“This shows that soil is being washed away somewhere in the area,” Jit, who is in his 50s and working as a training director said.
Francis said the slope-reinforcement work should be carried out during the dry season and not now.
Jit said residents were alarmed when large machinery and workers started clearing the slope and cutting down the trees in the area a month ago.
“I remember calling MPAJ and a week later, the project board was put up. Strengthening the slope is a fantastic plan only if the developer does not intend to develop it later,” he said.
For Tita, she feels that it does not make any sense to do anything to the slope at this point.
“It has been stable for a long time. Why should anyone meddle in something that nobody is complaining about?” she asked.
“The houses in Jalan Wangsa 3 are built on a huge rock and if nothing disturbs the soil, no landslide will occur,” Jit said, adding that the only thing that needs to be addressed is the drainage system that is ineffective until today.
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