KUALA LUMPUR: The area where the Taman Melawati landslide occurred is one of 114 landslide-prone hotspots in Ampang Jaya, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He noted there are approximately 400-600 such locations along the limestone ridge from Hulu Klang to Batu Caves.
"Yes, this is a hotspot area. If you look at the structure of the land, it's situated on limestone. From Hulu Klang to Batu Caves, this area has a long stretch of limestone. When water runs through it for months, landslides are more likely.
"The authorities are aware of the area (is landslide-prone). In total, there are over 600 areas, with over 400 of them considered risky. These highly risky areas are marked in yellow, orange, or red.
"However, the most severe areas, where incidents have repeatedly occurred, amount to 114 and this is within the Ampang Jaya area alone. Over the past year, there have been some landslides in Selayang and Petaling Jaya as well.
"As such the state government has begun taking action, such as conducting disaster drills, focusing not just on floods but also on landslide management.
"We've issued warnings before, but it's not feasible to evacuate all the homes in the areas," he said at a press conference after visiting the landslide site at Jalan E6, Taman Melawati today.
Heavy rain yesterday morning triggered a landslide along Jalan E6 in Taman Melawati.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel said the 20-metre by 20m slope had collapsed from a height of 30m.
Police also ordered residents of 20 houses near the landslide to evacuate their homes.