IPOH: A total of 18 out of 25 critical slopes in Perak are in high risk of landslides, says the state Mineral and Geoscience Department.

Its director Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim said these locations were deemed as high-risk due to their proximity to populated areas or places with human activities.

These locations included Kinta Valley Geosites such as Gunung Lang, Gua Matsoorat and cave temples like Perak Tong, Kek Look Tong and Kong Fook Ngam.

Other locations included Kampung Hijrah Chemor, Masjid Jamek Kampung Tanjung Kala (Hulu Perak), Taman Gemilang, Seri Iskandar, Persiaran Alam Impian (Pangkor) and Taiping Vistana Avenue.

“The main factor that could cause landslides in these areas is related to significant weather changes where the rain intensity exceeds normal levels.

“Other factors included poorly-planned land development in slope and rain catchment areas, and uncontrolled quarrying and logging activities,” Nizarulikram said when contacted.

He said the department was directly involved in providing its views for any planned development project in the state.

“We always emphasise on the technical aspects of development near slopes, the type of land, environmental preservation and notification of geological hazards and risks in an area,” he added.

Nizarulikram said the department and several other agencies had conducted Community-based Disaster Risk Management programmes to prepare residents for any geological disasters.

“Through this programme, the community in the respective areas that have had some natural disaster incidents or are at risk will be trained by the department to be the ‘local champions’ in handling matters about geological disasters like landslides.

“The champions are also trained to use the latest technology to do evaluations (for risks),” he said, adding that the awareness programme was important to educate the people to be resilient, especially in areas at risk of landslides.

“We have also conducted awareness programmes on slope safety and landslides and distributed brochures on early signs of landslides to the people,” he said.