PETALING JAYA: More than 1,000 slopes around the country are at risk of landslides, and prolonged heavy rainfall could lead to disaster in these areas.

       And that’s only along federal roads. There are many more such risky slopes in other areas.

       A total of 140 landslides have also been reported across Malaysia during the north-east monsoon between November 2021 and Jan 1.

       The Public Works Department (JKR) and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said they are closely monitoring the situation.

       JKR director-general Datuk Mohamad Zulkefly Sulaiman told The Star that a total of 1,045 slopes along federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia have been identified as high-risk in 2021, through the department’s slope hazard and risk map.

       These roads, he said, would require preventive work which is estimated to cost around RM974.8mil.

       “Currently, JKR has applied for additional allocation so more prevention work can be carried out on these high-risk slopes,” he said.

       Nadma director-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim said the agency was also monitoring the situation nationwide based on JKR data.

       “The trend (of the weather) is quite erratic lately,” he said.

       “It (landslides) usually happens in places that get a lot of rain like Kelantan and Pahang but lately we have had to focus on Selangor,” he said when asked on the hotspots.

       He said the various technical agencies have identified the hotspots, potential areas, weather trends and other relevant information which was also presented at the National Disaster Management Committee meeting, chaired by the prime minister.

       However, he said while there is data at hand, the unusual rainfall may be an issue.

       “If disasters strike, the Disaster Operations Control Centre will discuss the action and response needed. Experts from all departments will share input on how best to deal with this,” he said.

       Mohamad Zulkefly, meanwhile, added that various measures such as increasing the frequency of slope patrols and inspection, especially during the rainy season, have been carried out to ensure the safety of road users.

       “In addition, we are enhancing the sharing and integration of information and data between JKR and other technical departments to produce a more comprehensive hazard map.

       “This data integration can be used for long-term preventive measures on slopes,” he said.

       He added that the slope risk hazard map data was also shared with district JKR offices, local authorities and Nadma so slope monitoring work can be carried out in an integrated manner.

       As slope management for hillside development is under the purview of the local authorities, he said state governments and local authorities must implement the guidelines outlined by the various federal agencies at critical areas.

       “There are many factors that can contribute to landslides. The most common reason is prolonged and heavy rainfall,” he said.

       Many rainfall-induced landslides transform into debris flows (fast-moving water, soil, and rock) as they travel down steep slopes, especially those that enter stream channels where they may mix with additional water and sediment,” he said while citing the recent incident in Taman Bukit Permai 2, Ampang.

       The incident in Taman Bukit Permai saw four people killed and one person injured, while 10 vehicles were destroyed.

       Residents of 63 houses were evacuated.