Leaking pipes cause of landslide in Section 16 PJ

Contractors hired by Air Selangor helping to clean Asha's compound in Section 16, Petaling Jaya.

AFTER a landslide hit a Section 16 resident's house in Petaling Jaya last week, others staying along the same row are worried about their safety too.

"I have been living here for 40 years and this is the first time I experienced something like this," affected houseowner Dr Asha Kaur said, adding that her swimming pool and garden were in a mess after the March 15 incident.

Dr Asha said she was thankful to Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd for responding swiftly to her distress call.

In a statement to the media, MBPJ's corporate communication unit said checks showed that the landslide was caused by a leaking water pipe located at the top of the slope.

"The council has instructed Air Selangor to close the water source to reduce soil erosion.

"Air Selangor contractors are also carrying out pipe repairs.

"The eroded part of the slope has been covered with canvas sheet," said the statement.

When contacted, Air Selangor said the landslide took place while repair works were already underway and that its workers had helped clean the victim's house after the incident.

Dr Asha said she feared a future downpour would bring another landslide and cause more damage to her property if nothing was done to strengthen the slope.

"As it is, water and mud continue to gush down the retention wall when it rains. Air Selangor has advised me to call their personnel should I see soil falling from the slope, said Dr Asha.

Dr Asha pointed out that the increasing weight of the vegetation growing along the slope needed to be addressed.

"The trees may be too heavy for the soil to support. "You can see this from the way the trees are slanting downwards," she said.

As such, she is urging MBPJ to carry out regular pruning and ensure the tree roots are not affected by existing water pipes running underground.

Meanwhile, Jalan 16/5 Residents Association chairman Chew Phye Keat said those staying along the same row of houses were very worried.

He said that since the landslide was due to leaking water pipes, Air Selangor needed to monitor the situation continuously.

He called on MBPJ to carry out immediate soil assessment and take remedial measures.

"The daily heavy rain and exposed slope make the matter even more urgent," he added.

Damansara MCA division chief Tan Gim Tuan, who also resides in Section 16, hopes the incident will serve as a lesson for the authorities to take environmental factors into account in their planning for future developments.

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