Langkawi experienced the wettest week of the year (forth week of August). Continous rainfall for two to three days has resulted in severe flood at Pantai Cenang, Nyior Cabang and also Bon Ton Resort. Some roads were flooded. A couple of cars were swept away to the drain by the strong current. My mechanic has towed two cars from Cenang. Aida has to fix two new car registration plates within the same week because they broke from her car pushing against the current of the flood.
Even the island's paddy fields in Ulu Melaka were devastated by the flood. More pricey rice next year? According to the locals, this has never happened before or maybe for a long time. Could this be the effect of climate change?
So far, I yet to hear any lost of lives or huge damage.
However, these images here caught my attention since months ago. These pictures were taken at the junction of the highway to Padang Matsirat and Kedawang as at 31st August 2009. Since months ago till today, it has been almost the same.
This picture was taken on one side of the highway.
This was taken on the opposite side of the highway.
When zoomed in, you can see huge boulders were exposed and a tree standing solo in the center.
At this moment, the hill is still intact. Strange how the slope was cut and there is no sign of further development? Or the owner is selling the soil from his land? If that's true, why do the relevant authorities allow it to be done in such a risky manner? For how long can the slope holds?
The image shown here that there is no safety measures done on the slope or even below to prevent an incident to happen. Is a matter of time, isn't it? If Langkawi experiences another heavy rainfall and even worse than those days, wha-lah... you can imagine what will happen..
My well wishes to those people living in the houses below.
Malaysian style, i guess. Action will be taken only after an incident happens. Just like the Highland Towers incident. Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Towers_collapse
They don't learn, do they?
They don't learn, do they?
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Maan, you had my butt stickin up in the air on your blog for so long and you never told! LOL! I have noticed the two hills as well. Worrying.
ReplyDeleteHey Karina;
ReplyDeleteYeah... my butt was sticking up too long that i decided to fart... LOL! took some time to generate the "air" ya know!
Anyway, it doesn't need to take a blogger to highlight this issue. I'm sure those VIPs, ADUNs & all sorts of politicians here would have seen that hill been stripped while travelling airport-kuah-airport. I'm sure they know and they choose to be ignorant. Why worry? your land is far away from that site. The contractors are not worry too. Is money making time when an incident happens - that's all.
Am surprised you didn't take a photo of that house with the big compound at the opening to the defaced bare hill. He'll never have a problem with flooding because the ground is at least 2 meters below his house but his wall and garden might just get washed away someday. Have you seen that house too?
ReplyDeleteWell, they will blame everyone except themselves when tragedy arises.
ReplyDeleteHi itchiback...
ReplyDeleteas usual-lah, their attitude.
someone did ask me if i have informed the relevant authorities. well, i can't be bothered. that slope is so bloody obvious.