GUA MUSANG: A 10-metre-long steel bridge in Kampung Serian here, which was just upgraded a month ago, is now experiencing soil erosion after being hit by floods, raising concerns among the village residents.
Resident Muhamad Rofi Ismail, 58, said the damage was first noticed nearly a week ago after the floodwaters receded, and the bridge is now at risk of collapsing as its supporting pillars are no longer stable.
"This bridge is used daily by over 1,000 residents as the main route in and out of the village. We are worried that the erosion will cause the bridge to collapse because it can no longer bear the heavy load.
"This situation is dangerous for users of the bridge, especially if further erosion occurs due to the next wave of floods during this monsoon season," he said when speaking to reporters in Kampung Serian yesterday.
Also echoing his concerns was Muhammad Faisal Yaakob, 32, who frequently uses the bridge to send his children to school every morning.
According to him, the route is crucial for residents to access the mosque, town, and for farmers who use four-wheel-drive vehicles to transport their agricultural produce.
"We hope that the relevant authorities will promptly address the erosion beneath the bridge to prevent any untoward incidents," he said.
Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, confirmed that his office had received complaints from village residents regarding the issue.
He said the bridge's condition is unstable due to the soil erosion at the base of its pillars and called on the authorities to urgently maintain and repair the bridge's structure. – BERNAMA