Landslides have occurred in Malaysia and around the globe causes of the uncontrolled environment abuses which is done by the human. There are many cases recorded in Malaysia since 1919. The earliest recorded landslide in Malaysia occurred on 7 December 1919 which claimed 12 lives (Jaapar A. R., 2006). After the country gained independence in 1957, the first national tragedy was a landslide at Ringlet, Cameron Highlands which occurred on 11 May 1961 which is recorded by Malaysians Work Affair Department. About 700 people and two bulldozers came to assist and approximately 30 people were rescued. This tragedy, however, claimed 16 lives.
According to the geologist, the term landslide refers to the downward movement of masses of rock and soil. Landslides in this area are for the most part masses of soil ranging in volume from just a few feet, to many yards. The rate of travel of a slide can range from a few inches per month to many feet per second, depending on slope, material and water content. Landslides can be initiated by storms, earthquakes, fires, erosion, volcanic eruptions and by human modification of the land.
Many landslide cases have been reported in local newspaper since 1973 until 2007 indicates an increase in the number of fatalities with an increase the number of landslides. The Highland Towers Tragedy on 11 December 1993 that claimed 48 lives had a major impact on national policy. It was due to this landslide that on 18 May 1994 the Cabinet Meeting made a decision to form the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), a mechanism under the National Security Council (MKN) in the Prime Minister’s Department for the management of disasters on land. With the action and initiatives that forward by government seem like very serious in preventing the landslides to occur but there do still exist the negligence and irresponsible party who abuse our environments for profit and personal interest.
For example, the environmental journalist had wrote the report about the complained from the villagers at Kampung Paya Lebar Luar, Pilin on picking rock and soil activity at Sungai Pedas 1 meter from their land. The activity have started to show bad implications when erosions of the land become more serious and almost cause a damage. Although the activity has just started, the impact on the nearest land had occurred. The villagers have noticed that the canal beside the river has gone in several days. The cases as mentioned had shows that the developer does not put the situation into an observation of the activity.
Looking back through the previous cases, we believe and assure that the landslide is a natural disaster which could sacrifice many lives. So, in my opinion, the developer should realize and analyze each and every steps which taken could or couldn’t put people and environment in risks. It is crucial that the developer to know about the factors that can indicates the landslides.
According to the research of Landslide Investigations, Conditions which lead to soil instability and sliding include steep slopes, water saturation and deep frost. Building and road construction are also a contributing factor to landslides as they often undermine or steep otherwise stable soil. Landslide hazard areas include areas potentially subject to landslides based on a combination of geologic, topographic, and hydrologic factors. They include any areas susceptible because of any combination of bedrock, soil, slope (gradient), slope aspect, structure, hydrology, or other factors.
In order to prevent and alert with the signs or features that could cause to landslides. The Ancillary structures such as decks and patios tilting and or moving relative to the main house could be the signs of the phenomena. Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations or maybe broken water lines and other underground utilities. Besides that, leaning telephone poles, trees, retaining walls or fences Rapid increase or decrease in creek water level Sticking doors and windows, and visible open spaces indicating jambs and frames out of plumb.
Landslides can result in the disruption of roads, water, sewer, gas, electric and phone lines, as well as serious damage to public and private property. The loss of life likely to happen in such an occurrence would be a major concern, particularly for those areas where multi-family construction has taken place. In A conclusions, hoped that these case histories would serve as a lesson to the geotechnical community, analyze and getting the activity full of integrity is something that the people should be implement. The careful planning, proper design and frequent review works are essential to prevent the landslides from happening.
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