KAMPAR: Several residents of Taman Chenderong Jaya in Batu Gajah, who were forced to evacuate due to a landslide risk, said they heard earth movement from a nearby hill before being told to evacuate.

A senior citizen, Latifa Ahmad, 66, said it was the first time such an incident had occurred after four years of living in the area, adding that she feared for the residents’ safety.

“Before this, there were minor incidents and the authorities had installed retaining walls.

“The latest incident, on the other hand, was quite bad because the movement came from the top,” she said at the temporary relief centre in Dewan Serbaguna Tanjung Tualang here.

Her neighbour, Kamarullah Ramli, 39, who has been living in the area for more than 10 years, said the housing area was often hit by flash floods, but this was the first time it faced a landslide risk.

“I was working when I was informed by my neighbours about this landslide risk yesterday.

“This area is prone to flash floods. I think the landslide risk was also caused by incessant heavy rain last night,” he said.

The three were among 28 residents from six families evacuated to the relief centre, which was opened at 10.40pm yesterday.

The relevant agencies are monitoring the location. No casualties have been reported so far.

A Bernama check in the area found that the authorities had cordoned off the area, and an investigation was underway to identify the cause of the incident. –Bernama

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