The public works department (JKR) has activated its disaster operations room (BigBen) to monitor 3,200 dangerous slopes, deputy works minister Ahmad Maslan said.

Ahmad said the decision to activate BigBen, was a proactive step in view of the Northeast Monsoon which is expected to hit next month.

We will be working around the clock to provide early warnings, especially when it comes to slopes near residential areas, government buildings and schools,

 he told reporters after visiting the site of a landslide along Jalan E6, Taman Melawati.

Ahmad said about 27,000 slopes nationwide are being monitored. Of the figure, 10,000 are located near residential areas and schools.

On the landslide in Taman Melawati, Ahmad said JKR had taken three immediate steps, namely cleaning the debris, pruning the trees, and rerouting the waterways as well as covering the slopes.

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council will be engaging the developer which owns the land this Friday for a long-term solution.

Yesterday’s downpour led to a landslide at the junction between Jalan Serdang and Jalan E6 Taman Melawati, which cut off access to some 20 houses.

No casualties were reported, although the landslide damaged a car and toppled a guardhouse. The affected residents were told to move to a multipurpose hall at Jalan E5 Taman Melawati.

Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi had blamed the landslide on a blocked drainage system in Jalan G2.