GEORGE TOWN: The Department of Mineral and Geoscience is not discounting the possibility of more landslides at the Bukit Kukus hill, which was hit by a landslide on Friday.
This was based on the topography setting on the hill.
Explaining, its Perlis, Kedah and Penang director Azhari Ahmad said whenever it rains, there would be soil movement in the area.
“This is very risky and there is a possibility that more landslides will occur at the site,” he told newsmen at the site, here, today.
Azhari and his team is here to assist the search and rescue (SAR) efforts for at least five people still feared missing in the landslide, when tonnes of earth washed down on construction site containers, placed on the hillslope where they were staying in.
Elaborating, Azhari said from their observation and assessment at the landslide affected area, they also found a natural stream flowing downhill.
The stream, he said, is usually filled with running water.
“And due to its shallowness, when it rains, the water flow can become very swift and overflow into the nearby area.
“For now, we have managed to divert the water flow from the stream elsewhere,” he added, noting that most of Penang hills, including Bukit Kukus, are made up of granite stones.
He said the composition of the granite stones, upon chemical weathering, will form sand and mud, making the soil loose.
He also added that their assessment at the landslide site showed the soil there was from the natural formation as well as those brought in from elsewhere.
Azhari, when asked, said they would only carry out investigation if the need arises.
Meanwhile, northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the SAR operation, which was halted at 7pm yesterday, resumed at 8.30am today.
He said the search area today would focus on three main points in two sectors, which the K-9 units have shown particular interest in.
“We believe there are some leads there.
“We will look for all the victims and only call off the operation once we are satisfied that there are no more victims left,” he added.
State Fire and Rescue Department Saadon Moktar said more assets had been deployed for the SAR operation.