Structural checks at Cheras apartment will take several days following landslide, says Selangor exco

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Residents evacuated from Block D of the Damai Perdana Apartments in Cheras may have to remain out of their homes for several days while authorities determine whether the building is structurally safe.

Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) Zone 6 councillor Tan Kah Hoe said multiple technical agencies were conducting assessments of the affected block, according to New Straits Times.

“It depends on the reports from the technical agencies I mentioned earlier, namely the Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department and Minerals and Geoscience Department, because at this point, we still do not know whether the building’s structure is safe for occupation,” he said today.

Tan said he had asked the agencies to complete their evaluations as quickly as possible.

He said the agencies informed him that the reports would take several days to finalise.

Residents of an apartment block in Bandar Damai Perdana, Cheras were ordered to evacuate their homes last night after a landslide occurred near the building, believed to have been caused by an underground water leak. — Bernama pic

Authorities ordered the evacuation of about 80 residents from 45 units after a slope failure occurred near Block D around 8pm yesterday.

The evacuation was carried out as a precaution while officials examined the stability of the slope and the condition of the building.

Residents living near the slope at the Bandar Damai Perdana apartment complex were instructed to leave their homes after the landslide occurred close to the block.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the department received an emergency call at 9.03pm regarding the incident.

He said an underground water leak was believed to have caused the landslide.

Ashrul said the affected slope measured about 4.57m in height, and the slipped earth was approximately 0.91m from the impacted area.