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KUCHING, Wed: An elderly woman was killed and three other members of her family were buried in a landslide which occurred just after midnight at Lorong 1, Kampung Baru Cina in Kapit town. The body of the woman, identified as Dayang anak Dayak, 56, has been recovered while rescuers are digging through the rubble with hoes and their bare hands to find the others, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
Kapit Member of Parliament Alexander Nanta Linggi, when contacted by Bernama from Sibu, said the others were Dayang?s daughter Kiti, in her 30s, and her grandchildren, one a Primary Six pupil and the other a Form Two student.
Dr Chan, who is also chairman of the State Disaster Relief and Management Committee, said the landslide affected 13 families and that two residents, Kong Mie Chu, 43, and Ah Seng, 30, were injured and sought treatment at the Kapit Hospital.
He said 60 people, comprising personnel from the Kapit Fire and Rescue Department, the police and People?s Volunteer Corps (Rela), were involved in the search and rescue effort.
Dr Chan said heavy rainfall, of up to 122mm in the Kapit Division last night, was believed to be the cause of the landslide.
He said the people living near the area, which was private land, had been instructed to move out to a resettlement area near Kapit town.
Nanta said: ?The area is landslide prone and similiar incidents have happened there in the past. Several years ago, between 30 and 40 families had squatted in the area but quite a number have moved out to a resettlement area in Sungai Bleteh not far away. Some have bought new houses elsewhere,? he said.
He advised those still living there to take the necessary precaution, especially during the rainy season.
?I would strongly advise them to vacate the area in view of its reputation as a landslide area and as it is also private land belonging to some associations,? he said.
Nanta said he had discussed with Pelagus State Assemblyman Larry Sng Wei Shien, who is also the Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister?s Office, and the Resident of Kapit Division, Hang Tuah Merawin, on providing immediate relief assistance to those affected.
He also called on those living in low-lying areas in the Kapit, Belaga and Song districts to be on the alert against the occurrence of floods because of the rainy season. ? BERNAMA
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