RANAU: The Ranau district office is preparing reports on the situation in Kundasang for the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and relevant agencies.
District officer Tinus Manggam said a team was scheduled to visit affected areas, including Kampung Gorowot, which went viral after a Perodua Kancil was swept away by a flash flood and fell down an embankment.
"The district office team was scheduled to visit the area today, following earlier assistance from the Ranau District Disaster Management Committee team under the Civil Defence Force (APM).
"For now, the road leading to Kampung Gorowot is completely cut off and inaccessible until repairs are carried out," he told the New Straits Times.
He added that about 20 houses and several homestays in the village were affected. Kampung Gorowot is about 2km from Kundasang town.
Villager Junaydie Sihan, 49, said the incident occurred after three days of rain, which caused a blocked culvert to overflow.
The former Mountain Guides Association president said villagers, with the help of five vehicles from the Kundasang Highland Four Wheel Drive Club, managed to pull the car out.
The incident was part of a recent series of landslides and flash floods reported around Kundasang following continuous heavy rain.
In Kampung Pogun and Kampung Dumpiring Atas, a slope collapse about 25m high damaged the rear wall of a house on Oct 11.
Other incidents included a landslide behind Surau Al-Taqwah in Kampung Dumpiring Bawah. Water mixed with rocks also overflowed onto the main road connecting Kampung Pahu to Kampung Himbaan in Bundu Tuhan.
NST previously reported the risk of major landslides in Kundasang due to factors including the area's geological composition, intense weather and rapid development.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has said the monsoon transition phase was expected to begin on Oct 9 and continue until late October, bringing heavy rain.
As a precaution, APM personnel and villagers covered the collapsed slope with a tarpaulin to prevent water from accumulating and reduce the risk of further soil erosion.
APM also monitored the surrounding area and advised residents living on slopes and in high-risk locations to watch for signs of ground movement. They were told to move to safer locations immediately if early signs of a landslide were detected.
At press time, the Sabah Mineral and Geoscience Department was in the process of installing an emergency warning system in Kundasang and the surrounding areas.
The system will include a siren to alert the community. Residents will also receive warnings through WhatsApp groups, while relevant agencies will be notified by email.
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