AMPANG: A resident in Kemensah Heights thought that a bomb had exploded when a landslide occurred behind his house.

       Suhaimi Sulaiman, 61, said he was in his bedroom while one of his children was cooking in the kitchen during the incident on Friday night.

       “I heard what sounded like an explosion and thought it was due to the cooking in the kitchen.

       “One of my children ran to me and told me that a tree had toppled over behind the house,” he said.

       Suhaimi said there was a heavy downpour prior to the incident.

       “The tree fell right behind my house. The landslide also disrupted the flow of the river there,” he said.

       Another resident, Zul Hafiz Suhaimi, said: “I saw a tree fall near the window in the kitchen. Then I saw my neighbours shouting and running out of their homes.”

       Zul Hafiz, 27, added that he then evacuated to a relative’s home with his parents and siblings.

       The landslide forced 103 residents in Jalan Kemensah Heights to be evacuated.

       Gombak MP Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said authorities needed three days to prepare a technical report on whether the affected houses were safe to be occupied.

       “The Geoscience and Mineral department will determine whether the evacuated residents can safely return to their homes.

       “We hope the residents can be patient. The top priority is their safety,” he told reporters after inspecting the area.

       Azmin said sheet piles would be placed at the landslide area to stop the movement of the soil.

       “It will cost an estimated RM1mil to install and I have discussed with the Finance Minister on providing an allocation for this immediately.

       “Once this is done, the authorities can focus on strengthening slopes in the area,” he said.

       Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Farouk Eshak said police would divert traffic at nearby roads and only authorised personnel could enter the area.