KUALA LUMPUR: A clogged drain at the top of a hill in Taman Melawati caused the landslide along Jalan E6 yesterday morning.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said overflowing water from the drain triggered a landslip which led to the landslide.
He said the overflow had been an ongoing issue for several days before the incident.
"It is true that the drain was blocked by stones and soil, causing the overflow for several days," he told a press conference after visiting the site of the landslide this morning.
"However, yesterday's incident was exacerbated by heavy rain over a prolonged period."
"The drain at the top of the hill is still under the control of the developer or the landowner."
Amirudin said the authorities have issued a notice to carry out maintenance works on the drain and upgrade access routes to the hill.
The developer and landowner have also been issued a stop-work order pending the completion of a probe into the landslide by the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG).
"According to our investigation, no ongoing development projects on the hill could have caused the landslip.
"However, construction activities are being carried out by the landowner, who purchased the plot from the developer, and this is also being reviewed," he said.
The land on the top of the hill is owned by a developer, who subsequently sold dozens of plots to buyers interested in building homes.
"I was also informed that the area is a popular recreational spot for residents and we have temporarily closed it until JMG confirms that the area is safe," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that residents of 20 houses near the landslide had been ordered to evacuate their homes after the incident.