KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — Experts believe saturated soil is one of the main causes of the landslide incident near the Father’s Organic Farm campsite, Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali, early this morning.
Geologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Ibrahim Kamoo said continuous rain for the past few days caused the soil structure to weaken, thus making the slope in the area to become unstable.
“When the rain continues, the soil pores started to fill with water causing the soil structure to become damp and weak.
“The situation was worsened by the overcast weather that caused the evaporation process to reduce the water content in the soil to decrease which led to the occurrence of the landslide that brought down a large amount of soil from the slope,” he told Bernama here today.
He opined that the campsite was not suitable to be set up in the location as it was situated too close to the river valley which is only about 30 metres away as well as to the artificial slope area or road embankment.
Lecturer at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Associate Prof Dr Haliza Abdul Rahman also agreed that camping sites in highland areas pose a high risk for landslides, especially during the Northeast Monsoon season.
“Landslides are the second most frequent disaster after floods in the country and they often occur during the Northeast Monsoon season. Every slope that is at risk of landslides has certain signs including soil shrinkage or cracks when ground movement occurs.
“Perhaps we lack awareness when there is a small crack and do not take appropriate measures until a landslide occurs,” she said.
Meteorologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said Malaysia is currently experiencing the Northeast Monsoon season which brings continuous rain until March 2023.
“When heavy rains continue, every slope is at risk of soil movement and landslides, especially in areas that are ‘tampered with’ by development,” he said.
As of 8 pm tonight, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Ismail confirmed that 21 bodies have been found, 12 are still missing, while another 61 victims have been rescued.
The landslide incident at Father’s Organic Farm at 2.42 am involved a total of 94 individuals including the campsite workers.
Search and rescue operations are still active with rescue teams involving the Detection Dog Unit (K9) and the Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) from the Bukit Sentosa, Ampang, Pandan, Kota Anggerik, Kajang and Andalas Fire and Rescue Stations as well as Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM).
