If you’re heading up north to Perak this week, choose your route carefully: a 34-metre stretch of road near Slim River collapsed last night, blocking off traffic to and from Kampung Kuala Slim.
The 8pm incident on the 4th Mile of Jalan Kuala Slim saw the stretch of road collapsing down an incline 45 metres deep, possibly due to sustained heavy rain in the area.
Harian Metro reports that the road’s degradation had become apparent as far back as two weeks ago, but last night’s heavy downpour was the straw that broke the camel’s back, causing the earth foundation to sink.
Kampung Kuala Slim Village Development and Security Committee secretary Mohd Zambri Jalil told HM that local residents are now forced to use an alternate route through a oil palm plantation, located seven kilometres from the collapsed road.
“We are thankful that there were no casualties when the road gave way last night, as this is normally the main thoroughfare for local residents to and from Slim River,” he said.
“Because of the collapse, we have to resort to alternate routes, and hope that the management of the plantation will allow us to continue using their dirt paths to get to town.”
A spokesperson from the Slim River Fire and Rescue Department has announced that the immediate area has been assessed for further land slippage, and apar from some minor additional cracks, has been cleared from any such possibility for the time being.
