LUBOK ANTU – A landslide incident along Jalan Bintong in Batang Ai has sparked concern among residents and motorists, following a sudden collapse of part of the road believed to be caused by a burst water pipe.
According to Lieutenant Desem Samuel of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Lubok Antu, an emergency call was received around 9:45am alerting them to the situation.
“Three APM personnel were dispatched immediately to the location. Upon inspection, we confirmed that a landslide had occurred,” he said in an official statement.
The affected section of the road measured approximately two metres in width and one metre in depth. It is suspected that the incident was triggered by water gushing from a damaged underground pipe, which gradually weakened the soil structure, leading to the collapse.
“The complainant observed water flowing out of the broken pipe, which caused erosion beneath the road surface and eventually led to the landslide,” Desem added.
The situation, although under control, remains risky. Authorities warn that continuous rain could worsen the condition due to the now-unstable soil in the area.
To safeguard the public, warning tape has been placed around the affected stretch of road. Residents and drivers are urged to stay alert and avoid the area where possible.
Fortunately, no injuries or damage to nearby properties have been reported as of now. APM assures that they are closely monitoring the situation and will act swiftly should conditions deteriorate.
“We encourage members of the public to report any signs of ground movement or damage in high-risk areas so that we can respond promptly,” said Desem.
The community is advised to take extra caution, especially during the ongoing wet season.
