Sinkhole outside KL homes ‘swallows’ four cars

KUALA LUMPUR - Residents of a row of double-storey terraced houses in Taman Wawasan in Puchong, outside Kuala Lumpur, were dumbfounded after a sizeable sinkhole emerged just outside their homes.

The residents, who live in Jalan Wawasan 3/9, said they did not spot any sign of soil erosion and there were no structural cracks on the road leading to their homes.

That is why it came as a shock when the landslide occurred late on Dec 16 after a heavy downpour, “swallowing” four of their cars.

The occupants of nine houses closest to the sinkhole were forced to evacuate through the back door after the authorities declared the area unsafe.

There were no casualties.

The row of houses in Jalan Wawasan 3/9 is on high ground and close to a slope.

Resident Abd Rahim Md Ali, who lives with eight of his family members, was among the nine home owners affected.

He said he was shocked when he saw the entire road in front of his corner-lot house sinking, with his parked car going down with it.

“We never expected a landslide to occur here as there has never been any warning sign and the roads seemed perfect,” said the 72-year-old who is retired.

Some of the residents affected have lived in the area for more than two decades.

Mr Abd Rahim said he felt disappointed when he learnt that he could not seek insurance compensation for the loss of his car.

“I believe I won’t be able to claim anything (from insurance) as the incident is considered an act of God,” he said.

He added that he had not made plans to move out of his house but wants the local council to take necessary steps to ensure the incident will not recur.

Wawasan 3 Residents Association chairwoman Yong Siew Yoong, 60, said: “We are quite puzzled as to why this has happened as there were no known mining activities in our area in the past.

“However, we are glad the relevant authorities are helping to resolve the matter and nobody was injured.”

Ms Yong said she would keep the nine affected home owners updated on any new development to their homes and the sinkhole.

Resident Puah Siah Phang, 70, said he was glad that the authorities responded to the incident swiftly.

“Four of my family members and I were able to evacuate as soon as it happened, and we are staying with a relative nearby. We never ever thought this would happen here,” said Mr Puah who has lived in the area for 23 years.

Accountant Tung Ei Lee, 42, said she called the Fire and Rescue Department for help soon after the landslide occurred.

She said she might consider selling her house if more landslides were to occur close to her home.

“Our priority is safety. If it is unsafe here, we will consider moving out,” she said.

System analyst James Cornelius, 58, urged the government to take quick action as incessant rain in the past few weeks has softened the ground and made it vulnerable to landslides.

“The authorities have to do a slope failure risk assessment quickly as the coming rain will make the ground more (susceptible) to landslides,” said Mr Cornelius, who lives with three other family members.

He said the incident has left him in fear of more landslides occurring in future.

University student Sarvasiddharth Pukalenthi, who lives nearby, said he and his father were driving along the road when other residents flagged them down and warned them about the landslide.

“I immediately reversed my car and left the place. We were taken aback to see the big sinkhole and used another route,” Mr Sarvasiddharth said.

Subang Jaya City Councillor Lee Jen Uyin, 48, urged residents to alert the local council if they see any soil erosion in their area.

“Residents have to be our eyes and ears, and be on the lookout for landslides,” she said.

On Dec 17, Subang Jaya Mayor Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the affected area remains unsafe as “soil movements continue to be detected”.

“We are taking all necessary steps to stabilise the ground and prevent further soil erosion in case it starts raining again,” he said during a visit to the site.

Subang MP Wong Chen, who was also present, said the nine affected families would receive cash aid of RM1,000 (S$280) to ease their financial burden.

“At least they can use the cash to stay at a hotel or buy groceries. We will provide more cash aid if the need arises,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK