GEORGE TOWN – Approximately 22m of the retaining wall behind Lengkok Halia collapsed at 9.30am today, bringing with it a white Proton Saga that was parked there.
Contractors on site said the vehicle was retrieved in the afternoon, and investigations into the incident are underway.
The length of the landslip stretched the length of four homes, and one of the residents, Christine Hoyer, 58, told The Vibes that it was her maid that alerted the family about the crack on the road that appeared on Thursday evening.
“My son, who used to be an engineer, knew that the crack was a serious issue when he saw it. He started taking pictures of it before making a report.
“He could not sleep well, and early this morning, he started taking photographs again. We didn’t dare sleep in the back room. I asked my maid to sleep in the hall.
“My son was there when it happened, he took a video, and when the authorities came to check, he sent the video to them.”
A landslide occurred in Lengkok Halia, Penang this morning, damaging one car and causing a section of road to collapse.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) October 1, 2021
No injuries were reported.
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Hoyer said her son had informed the neighbours and the security personnel at the nearby apartment. The management then issued an alert this morning for owners to move their cars.
“We don’t park at the service road behind, as it is always occupied by the residents of the apartment. However, there were still six cars parked there in the morning, which had to be towed away.”
Now, the residents are wondering if they should evacuate.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee said it was caused by erosion, making the ground unstable, plus continuous rainfall that led to the wall’s collapse.
“Right now, though investigations are ongoing, there is no danger to the residents staying on landed properties as the ground is more or less stable.
“If there is any sign of instability, the Penang Island City Council Geotechnical Department will issue an evacuation notice. Currently, there is none.”
Tg Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari has pledged to fix the damage and obtain aid for drainage repairs. The Irrigation and Drainage Department will be tasked to oversee the job. – The Vibes, October 1, 2021
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