TAMPARULI: Over 1,000 residents from seven villages in the area are risking their lives by using an unsafe temporary route after the Bailey bridge across Sungai Bawang was destroyed by a major flood six months ago.
This temporary route was built to allow residents of Kampung Bawang, Kiwoi, Togop, Lingga, Bambangan Lama, Namadan, and Rangalau Lama to travel in and out of their villages.
Teachers and students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bawang, SK Togop, SK Lingga, and SK Rangalau Lama also use this route.
However, the construction of a new bridge across the river has yet to begin, forcing residents to use the temporary route despite being aware of the safety risks due to the lack of alternative roads.
An inspection found that the temporary route, built near the destroyed bridge, has suffered serious subsidence due to soft ground, and the base of the road is easily eroded whenever the river level rises.
Resident Julaimin Abdullah, 66, stated that the temporary route has subsided several times, with erosion posing a risk of collapse. However, it has only been repaired by contractors.
"The physical condition of this temporary route, which is built over several large water channels, is very dangerous for traffic if one is not careful when passing through, as the structure is not stable."
Another resident, Edwin John, 52, admitted that while the temporary route alleviates the difficulties of residents from the seven affected villages in travelling with vehicles, it has raised another safety concern.
"The issue is that this facility is becoming unsafe to use because the structure of the temporary route is increasingly unstable," he said.
Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim said that when the incident occurred in July last year, the bridge was undergoing an upgrade beginning in March which was scheduled to be completed by September this year.
"What happened with this facility was unexpected, but we will rebuild a new facility at the same location once all related matters are resolved," he said.
He hopes the residents can be patient, as the destroyed bridge will be replaced with a safer one for the convenience of the seven villages involved.