KUANTAN: Repair works following landslide that led to the evacuation of eight families from the SK Bandar 2 Paloh Hinai teachers' quarters in Pekan on Jan 7, will be determined once the Public Works Department (PWD) completes its investigation.
State Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said long-term mitigation plans for the site will be only made after the PWD has prepared a detailed report on the landslip.
"On January 9, PWD's slope forensic unit had conducted a site visit and carried out an analysis at the landslide area. A detailed report along with PWD's recommendations for the type of repair works for the area will be determined soon.
"The repair cost will be handed to the Education Ministry, and Pahang Education Department. The entire process is expected to be completed between three and six months," he told reporters during a press conference here today.
Meanwhile, Fakhruddin said the Pekan PWD has diverted the water flowing from uphill to avoid triggering further soil movements in the area.
"The drain has been widened and diverted towards another drain at the nearby oil palm plantation. This is to avoid the huge volume of water from upstream to flow into drainage near the quarters," he said.
When asked if soil movements were still detected in the area, Fakhruddin replied minor ground movements were reported recently due to the continuous downpour in Pekan.
On the cause of the landslide incident, Fakhruddin said the unexpected high volume of rainfall in the area which resulted flash floods in Paloh Hinai and certain area in Felda Chini last week might have triggered the landslide.
On Jan 7, eight families comprising 14 adults and 10 children residing in the four-storey teachers' quarters were told to vacate the premises following the landslip about 8.55am and are now temporarily housed at the school hostel.
On a separate matter, Fakhruddin said Section 102 of the Kuantan-Segamat road which was closed following a sinkhole incident on Jan 6 will be reopened soon.
"The construction of the 30m-long Bailey bridge has been completed and the alternative road will be tarred before it is opened. Works is about 80 percent complete but the rainy weather has resulted some delays for the premix laying works," he said, adding the road will be opened within the next few days.
On Jan 11, Pahang PWD director Datuk Hafizah Zakaria said the Bailey bridge which is expected to be completed by Jan 18 would serve as a temporary solution until a permanent bridge is built.
