The Star
A PARTIALLY collapsed road in Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, caved in further on Tuesday night following a downpour. When part of the Persiaran Sungai Long collapsed into a valley below a few weeks ago, residents alerted the authorities.
Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department staff closed off the road on April 13 to carry out repair works. Selangor DID workers working on the gabion wall to prevent further damage of the road. Traffic on the road leading out of the township to the Cheras-Kajang High-way was reduced to one lane.
However, Tuesday night's thunderstorm caused a landslide that damaged the road further and left a deep and cavernous pit. Fortunately, no one was hurt and no vehicles were damaged. Bandar Sungai Long Residents Association secretary Jeff Tung said the road was constantly showing signs of erosion because a small river ran through the valley.
The condition of the road in Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, after Tuesday's downpour.
“The downpour on Tuesday worsened the situation and the extent of the damage was massive. Even electric cables were left exposed as a result of the landslide,” he added.
“When the road was damaged a few weeks ago, residents in SL1 were concerned for their safety. The pit which measures about 90m deep and 18m wide is only metres away from houses and a playground,” he added. Resident Jessy Kaur who used the road daily said she feared for the safety of other motorists.
“I hope the authorities will take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of road users and help ease the traffic congestion during peak hours in some way before any untoward incidents happen,” she said.
Evergreen Park condominium residents are also living in fear because the road that collapsed is located near their area. Barriers have been put up along the stretch near the block to prevent motorists from using the road.
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) corporate communications director Shariman Mohd Nor said Selangor DID workers were repairing the left bank of the road that was damaged last month.
“They had placed sheet piles and were reinforcing the damaged bank with a gabion wall. The department had intended to carry out similar works on the right bank to strengthen the structure,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the work (originally scheduled for May 2 and 3) could not be carried out because the downpour caused a major landslide. Repair and reinforcement works are currently being carried out,” he added.
The council will carry out resurfacing works and start building a new road to replace the old one once the DID workers were done. It is estimated to take a few months.
