Natural Disaster(Land Slide)

Natural Disaster That Attacks In MALAYSIA

(KL-KARAK Highway Landslide)

Natural disasters is any catastrophic event that is caused by nature or the natural processes of the earth such as flood, fire, earthquake, tornado and windstorm. It affect the people in various kind of way every year in Malaysia

A landslide or landslip is a natural disaster, something which is cannot avoid by human beings. Landslides can vary in size but usually they always involve a large ground movement. This can be things such as debris and rock failing.  A landslide can occur on shore or off shore and usually at coastal lines but it is the gravity that forces the debris and rocks to fall and for a total landslide to occur.

Landslides in Malaysia are regular natural disasters in Malaysia which occur along hillsides and steep slopes.There are many landslide happened in Malaysia. 

•    1 May 1961 - A landslide occurred in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
•    21 October 1993 The man-made Pantai Remis landslide caused a new cove to be formed in the coastline.
•   11 December 1993 - 48 people were killed when a block of the Highland Towers collapsed at Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, Selangor.
•    30 June 1995 - 20 people were killed in the landslide at Genting Highlands slip road near Karak Highway.
•    6 January 1996 - A landslide in the North-South Expressway (NSE) near Gua Tempurung, Perak.
•    29 August 1996 - A mudflow near Pos Dipang Orang Asli settlement in Kampar, Perak, 44 people were killed in this tragedy.
•    15 May 1999 – A landslide near Bukit Antarabangsa, Ulu Klang, Selangor. Most of the Bukit Antarabangsa civilians were trapped under the rubble. Only two victims survived - an Indonesian maid and a child.
•    20 November 2002 – The bungalow of the Affin Bank chairman General (RtD) Tan Sri Ismail Omar collapsed due to an early morning landslide in Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, Selangor, with a fatality in his family.
•    December 2003 – A rockfall in the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) near the Bukit Lanjan interchange caused the expressway to be closed for more than six months.
•    31 May 2006 – Four persons were killed in the landslides at Kampung Pasir, Ulu Klang, Selangor.
•    26 December 2007 – Two villagers were buried alive in a major landslide, which destroyed nine wooden houses in Lorong 1, Kampung Baru Cina, Kapit, Sarawak.
•    12 February 2009 – one contract worker was killed in a landslide at the construction site for a 43-storey condominium in Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur.
•    21 May 2011 – 16 people mostly 15 children and a caretaker of an orphanage were killed in a landslide caused by heavy rains at the Children's Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa orphanage in FELCRA Semungkis, Hulu Langat, Selangor.
•    29 Dec 2012 – 88 residents of bungalows, shophouses and double-storey terrace houses in the Puncak Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur were ordered to move out because of soil movement. Resident Siti Mahfudzah Shahril, 34, said she was shocked at the sound of a siren and rushed out to see a landslide of about 50m high.
•    4 Jan 2013 – Construction at the Kingsley Hill housing project at Putra Heights has been halted temporarily following a landslide at the site that caused several vehicles to be submerged in mud.. No update if this affects the progress of the construction of Kingsley International school, located at the other side of this hill.

•   11 November 2015 – A landslide occurred at km 52.4 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway between Lentang and Bukit Tinggi, Pahang and Gombak-Bentong old roads. The Lentang-Bukit Tinggi stretch of the expressway was closed to traffic.

When the stability of a slope decreases or changes, even just slightly, it can make the slope unstable. This means that with a large or even a small change, can cause a landslide.  However, there are many things that contribute to a landslides including;

• Erosion – if this occurs, even just slightly, can make some of the slope to fall in to oceans or rivers.
• Glaciers can also have a landslide – there is not much of a different from a cliff top.  Instead, the ice melts or is subject to heavy rain and causes a slight shift from a glacier.
• Earthquakes – this brings about a sharp change in the slope and makes it unstable.
• Groundwater can destabilize the slope putting pressure on it greatly.
• Volcanoes erupting – this can cause the slope to become unstable.
• Soil structure can change.

However, these are all natural causes for a landslide to occur but human activities can contribute to cause a landslide.

• Heavy machine vibrations in the ground
• Deforestation can make fragile slopes unstable.

Human Factors

•  Deforestation

           Rapid development in Malaysia to achieve vision 20202 had caused the physical changed to surface and threatened the ecosystems. over rapid development had caused flat land being fully used and insufficient to develop. thus, developers are looking forward for hillside lands as the demand for living is increasing with increased population and to make high profit. trees fallen off due to logging, housing and to make new access rads had altered hydrological parameters and bring environment degradation such as soil erosion and landslide. whenever there is  high intensity rainfall, rain water will absorb the soil, loosening and weakening the slopes and pulled the saturated materials downslope due to gravity.

• Poor construction practice

          Majority of slopes failures that contribute to the hazard of lanslide are due to design errors, construction errors and lack of maintanence and supervison.

landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa 6 dec 2008

landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa 6 dec 2008

There are things which we can do to protect ourself, family and property from the landslide

 Before the landslide :

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Prepare for landslides by following proper land-use procedures - avoid building near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways or along natural erosion valleys.
• Become familiar with the land around you. Learn whether debris flows have occurred in your area by contacting local officials. Slopes where debris flows have occurred in the past are likely to experience them in the future.
• Get a ground assessment of your property.
• Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can better resist breakage.
• Protect your property by planting ground cover on slopes and building retaining walls.
• In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings. Be aware, however, if you build walls to divert debris flow and the flow lands on a neighbor's property, you may be liable for damages.
• If you are at risk from a landslide talk to your insurance agent. Debris flow may be covered by flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Recognize Landslide Warning Signs

• Changes occur in your landscape such as patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes (especially the places where runoff water converges) land movement, small slides, flows, or progressively leaning trees.
• Doors or windows stick or jam for the first time.
• New cracks appear in plaster, tile, brick, or foundations.
• Outside walls, walks, or stairs begin pulling away from the building.
• Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways.
• Underground utility lines break.
• Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope.
• Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations.
• Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move.
• A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears.
• The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet.
• Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris.
• Collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flow can be seen when driving (embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides).

   During a Landslide

• During a severe storm, stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
• Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings of heavy rainfall.
• Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
• Move away from the path of a landslide or debris flow as quickly as possible. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching.
• Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly.
• Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible.

   After a Landslide

• Go to a designated public shelter if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).
• Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
• Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
• Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.
• Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
• Look for and report broken utility lines and damaged roadways and railways to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
• Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.
• Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding and additional landslides in the near future.
• Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.

Slides and flows are the types of landslide that happened most frequently in Malaysia. As Malaysia has high average annual rainfall, it had caused the soil and rock on the slope to lose their strength and cause slides and dlows to happen.

As a conclusion landslide occurrence can be initiated either by natural factor or human factor. However human is the main cause of the landslide occurrence in Malaysia. Human factors such as deforestation and poor construction practices had causes the slope stability being altered. the stability of slope is further worsened when it comes into contact with natural factor that is heavy rainfall. extensive heavy rainfall had weakened the soil structure and increase the groundwater level which later lead to soil erosion.

landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa 6 dec 2008

landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa 6 dec 2008

 

 Thank You...!

Maybe you are the next victim, beware!

Encouraging Recycling

http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/10/12/Encouraging-recycling-Better-education-is-key-to-changing-the-publics-mindset-on-separating-their-ga/

Since childhood we have been disclosed about the concept of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle by telivision and schoolteachers.

But for the most part, the cause and effects of indiscriminate waste dumping seems largely unheeded in our day-to-day practices, leading to a rise in dengue cases and pests.

Statistics provided by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) show that in Malaysia, approximately 90% of waste were going to landfills while recycling rate is less than 10%.Compared to Singapore’s 1% landfill, 51% incineration and a total solid waste (excluding construction waste) recycling rate of 48%.Many other Asian countries, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, have recycling rates that either touch or far exceed the 50% mark.

In fact of that, IPC Shopping Centre has been diligently carrying out its own recycling efforts since June 2009, involving all 180 of its tenants in the process and encouraging visitors to do the same through the Recycling and Buy-Back Centre.The centre acts as a collection and waste segregation point, offering buy-back prices at a minimum of 1kg for six commonly found household and retail business recyclable items.These include cardboards, newspapers, magazines, plastic, aluminium as well as metal, and at the same time providing proper handling in the disposal of used batteries, light bulbs and compact fluorescent lights.

The top three buy-back items sent in by the public are magazines, with an average monthly volume of 1,800kg, newspapers (1,500kg) and plastics (250kg).Centre marketing manager Karyn Lim said everything began with IPC’s thought on how to better incorporate sustainable operations at the mall in managing the waste generated by the many tenants.“The buy-back centre operates at its own cost with any revenue received, reinvested into the centre to improve our recycling services and other sustainability efforts.

“We also use it for handling fees of certified specialist subcontractors who know how to recycle specific materials using bulb-eater machine, which crushes the bulbs, coated with neutralising chemicals then sealed in cement.

“These are then passed over to Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd to be placed in a certified landfill,” she said.Centre manager Joakim Hogsander revealed that tenants generated 76 tonnes of wet or organic waste and 38 tonnes dry waste monthly.

“There is a machine to segregate metal and chemical waste but our people have to manually separate paper, plastic and glass.

“We are appealing to the tenants’ green side and their economic sensibility so we have to show people the benefits.

“I believe that it’s not just in Malaysia now, but the world has to see how we can start to recycle everything, and it is the producers and consumers who decide that,” he said.With 176 bright yellow collection bins scattered around the Klang Valley, Community Recycle for Charity (CRC) compiles then separates anywhere from 100 to 150 tonnes of recyclables a month.

As volunteers scour cities and towns daily to collect from at least 30 to 40 bins, their job is but halfway done.

The centre separates waste according to the traditional paper, plastic and glass, as well as electronic items.

The electronics are sent to specialists to disassemble for their profitable parts, with any revenue received from the specialists used to benefit homes for the underprivileged.

CRC founder Datuk Joe Chong, 31, started the organisation in April 2009 with a primary focus on educating the public about recycling, besides charity work.

“About 15% of the items we collect are bulk waste, with a disposal rate of about 30% of waste that cannot be reused.

“Items that can be reused such as furniture are given to charity homes upon request but a lot of things collected are not reusable.

“We are working with local authorities for a special dumpsite to properly dispose of unsalvageable rubbish.

“I think the trouble is that a lot of people have the heart to donate, but don’t know what items are recyclable or what charities need and can use.

“About 60 to 70 tonnes of the recyclables we collect are clothes, way too much for welfare homes to use so we can only give these away to be reused as cloth for cleaning,” Chong noted.

To-date, CRC has assisted approximately 100 or more homes in this way on a rotational basis.

“We also have a pick-up service for bulk items that still work, so they can be sent to homes in need,” he said.To Chong, goodwill is paramount, believing in the generosity of people and cultivating a willing nature rather than enforcement in the separation of waste.

He also urged the Government to involve NGOs more in their efforts to instill greater practice of recycling.But an issue that constantly crops up – one that all three organisations agree upon – is the need for education in terms of waste segregation for our society to evolve a First World mindset.While there are many campaigns highlighting dengue, pest problem and littering in cities, it takes individuals moving in a conscientious direction, one little step at a time, for a successful outcome.

THE COMEBACK OF HAZE!

                http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/if-we-were-birds-we%E2%80%99d-fly-above-haze

           Haze is a constant phenomenon face by our country Malaysia and the neighbouring countries. The haze is an atmospheric condition where particles, smoke, dust and moisture suspend in the air obscuring visibility. The main cause of haze that occurs in Malaysia is cause of burning forest in some country to clear land and also because of open burning of rubbish. In addition the gas come out from chemical factories or industrial area also the main source of haze.The haze also can  bring a lot of disadvantage and harmful effect to human.

There are a few effect of haze. Firstly, it will effect to our health such as irritation on nose, skin, throat and eyes. Beside that haze particle also can effects our respiration and can be harmful to our lung and heart. It`s being disadvantage to people has asthma, pregnant women ,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) or heart failure. Because of that, people have to take care of health as been told by our Health Minister to wear a mask when doing outdoor activities and drink a lot of water to stay well hydrated.

               

            Next, haze also give a bad effect to our community. It`s because many outdoor activities have to stop and stop especially outdoor sports. School also have to close because it can harm student`s health. In general, children, elderly and people with chronic lung and heart disease are more sensitive to the health effects of haze.

                

            Last but not least, haze also can to weather which the temperature will increase and it cause of uncomfortable for people and also harmful to health. Because of that, outdoor activities will be decrease and kids cannot play outdoor anymore.

                

            In our conclusion, we suggest that government should suggest strict laws, paralyze those who practise open burning. They also need intensified campaign on the danger of open burning. Government also should raise the public awareness of the danger of  forest fire. However, government also have to provide assistance to farmers and introduce them the better forest clearing methods.Besidethat,individual also have a role to play in prevent of haze such as participate in every campaign and stop burning.

Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it from our future generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren would have a healthy earth to live. Because of that, this problem must be solved by the government as soon as possible before it grow and become a big problem.