Simpang Pulai Landslide Update No Go To Re Opening Road Tomorrow Due To Safety Concerns

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The stretch of road in Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley in Simpang Pulai, here, which was expected to be reopened tomorrow following a landslide last week, will remain closed as it is still deemed unsafe. - NSTP file picIPOH: The stretch of road in Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley in Simpang Pulai, here, which was expected to be reopened tomorrow following a landslide last week, will remain closed as it is still deemed unsafe.
A Perak Public Works Department (PWD) spokesman said the department had yet to get the green light from slope experts to reopen the route as clean-up work has yet to be completed and an appraisal on safety has yet to be done.
"We need to clear the entire landslide area. Until then, the affected route is closed off to traffic.
"Previously, the PWD had stated a one-lane route is expected to reopen tomorrow as a temporary alternative, but the experts are of the view that it will take longer before the road can be opened," he said when contacted today.
The landslide on Dec 2 had claimed the lives of two men. The victims were identified as lorry driver, Muhammad Hafiz Hamdi, 31, and the driver of a Toyota Alphard MPV, Tan Chee Heng, 36.
Perak PWD deputy director Hamdan Ali was quoted as saying the landslide occurred in an area which was not listed as a high-risk slope.
He had said there were three high-risk slopes identified along Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley here situated between Sections 38 and 46.
The 1.30pm landslide occurred due to consistent rainfall for two weeks, recording 217mm of rain which had weakened the whole slope structure. - NST

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