TUARAN: A landslide caused a portion of Jalan Kiulu-Tamparuli, near here, to collapse this morning, making it impassable to cars and heavy vehicles.

The damage to the road, which connects villages in surrounding areas to Tamparuli town, has left residents stranded and forced hundreds of motorists to search for alternative routes.

One villager, Frenando Bukana, 16, said he heard a loud sound at about 2am when the landslide occurred.

"My family and I were awakened by the sound.

The landslide was at Kilometer 96.7, Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan Road, near Kampung Pinausok, Ranau. (Pic by RECQUEAL RAIMI)
The landslide was at Kilometer 96.7, Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan Road, near Kampung Pinausok, Ranau. (Pic by RECQUEAL RAIMI)

“Initially, I thought trees were collapsing, as that usually happens during the rainy season.

"It turned out that about a 20-metre section of the road collapsed," he said when met today.

He added that Public Works Department personnel arrived at the location at 7am to assess the damage.

They have since placed traffic cones and warning signs to close both lanes of the road.

Members of the public were also seen helping clear the route to enable motorcyclists to pass.

A landslide caused a portion of Jalan Kiulu-Tamparuli, near here, to collapse this morning, making it impassable to cars and heavy vehicles. (Pic by RECQUEAL RAIMI)
A landslide caused a portion of Jalan Kiulu-Tamparuli, near here, to collapse this morning, making it impassable to cars and heavy vehicles. (Pic by RECQUEAL RAIMI)