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| Workers covering the worst-hit landslide area with canvas sheets as the giant concrete water tank dangle at the edge (left). - Pic by Paul Mu |
KOTA KINABALU: Residents used billboard canvas sheets from last year's Sabah election to cover contours in Kampung Kopungit to reduce the risk of a landslide.
Several parts of the hilly village adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I near here had been seriously damaged by torrential rain over the past few days.
Concerned residents used the canvas sheets from the last election to cover the exposed land surface as the erosion put several houses in danger.
"We put the canvas sheets together with staples to make it into bigger pieces. We used it to cover the exposed ground as this is the best thing to do for the time being," said Village Development and Security Committee chairman Charles Gokin when met at the village community hall.
He said continuous rain had totally destroyed at least two houses which collapsed downhill while several others were covered with mud.
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| Kampung Kopungit Village Development and Security Committee chairman Charles Gokin and several residents working at the community hall to staple the used election billboard canvas sheets together to cover exposed land surface to reduce landslide. - Pic by Paul Mu |
"At least 10 families whose houses were on unsafe slope areas were evacuated and took temporary refuge with their relatives," said Charles.
"The poor drainage system was the main cause of landslides in the village. We have raised this issue to the relevant authorities several times… we hope they will look into it," said Charles.
Perched on top of the village is a giant concrete water tank belonging to the state Water Department, which residents are very worried about as it sits at the edge of a collapsed slope, he said, adding there were about 3,000 people in the village.
"Although workers had covered the exposed surface with canvas sheets, it is just a temporary measure. For a long-term solution, the authorities must improve the drainage system of the whole village," said Charles.
He also urged the authorities to clear the fallen trees and broken power lines.
One of the residents said: "I feel sorry for those who lost their houses. We are like a big family, always helping each other.
"But there is not much we can do because this a natural disaster. For now, we will look for more canvas sheets to be used as a temporary preventive measure."
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in a Facebook post said at least 33 houses were on unsafe ground following the landslide on Saturday that also destroyed the Ministry of Health's (MOH) medicine storage facility in the village.
The landslide which occurred at 11am also buried three vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to MOH staff and another three vehicles and a motorcycle owned by the public.
Due to the continuous rain, the Chief Minister said the residents had been instructed to evacuate to avoid any untoward incidents.
He said the security agencies together with the Kota Kinabalu City Hall will assist in the evacuation process as temporary shelters have been provided for the affected residents.
The state and federal government agencies were taking follow -up actions to ensure the safety of the residents.
Hajiji said works to repair the disrupted water supply near the landslide area were also being carried out.
Source: NewStraitTimes - Click Here
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