Penang Hill Hit By 13 Landslides.

GEORGE TOWN: At least 13 locations in and around Penang Hill were hit by landslides following several days of downpour.
 Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari said soil erosion had occurred on several areas along the jeep trail, causing trees to be uprooted. “Fortunately, there were no casualties. We advise the public to practice extreme caution when within the affected areas.
 “The road at KM2.1 is intact and vehicles can pass through. However, half the road at KM4 has been damaged,” he said. Zairil added that repair works would take about four months because of logistical problems. “This problem has also resulted in the cost of the remedial works to escalate to RM1mil for each location,” he said.
 Zairil added that the area along KM2.5 had been cordoned off for safety reasons. “Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng said the landslide was first detected on Sunday, but three major ones happened on Wednesday and Thursday.
 “We will soon arrange a meeting with the residents and hikers who frequent KM2.5 (popularly known as Point 84) where there is a rest area,” said Cheah. Meanwhile, residents in Tanjung Bungah are worried for their safety after several landslides also occurred there at around 11pm on Thursday.
 A resident from a condominium, who was taking his usual morning walk in Solok Tanjung Bungah, said mounds of earth and a big boulder crashed down from the hill on Wednesday morning. Another landslide occurred the following day.
 “The authorities should take extra precautionary measures and act fast when such incidents occur. “I think the developers did not have a proper plan when carrying out their projects and this is the consequence,” he said. Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu said he reported to the Penang Municipal Council upon learning about the landslide.
 “MPPP has ordered clearing work to start immediately,” he said. Workers from the condominium developer were busy clearing the debris when The Star visited the scene yesterday morning.