A section of Jalan Puncak Borneo that caved in recently, following several days of heavy rain.
KUCHING: The recent road collapses in Padawan and Penrissen can become the yardstick for the relevant authorities with regard to improvements on road designs.
According to Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, the three incidents where sections of the road caved in could be attributed to either blocked waterways within the road’s embankment design, or an inefficient culvert.
He suggested that the solution might be to construct more culverts or mini-bridges across road sections that had intersecting waterways beneath them.
“The soil underneath the road that intersects with a waterway is like a sponge. It tends to retain water and becomes heavier, leading to erosion which eventually, could cause parts of the road to cave in,” Lo told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
It has been reported that the section at Jalan Puncak Borneo between Kampung Karu and Kampung Bayur, as well as those at Jalan Kampung Sibuang between Kampung Simuti and Kampung Sibakar, and Jalan Kampung Begu, caved in after days of heavy rain.
Lo noted that the waterways had been flowing at their current courses for centuries, until man decided to construct a road across them.
“It is definitely not wise for man to divert the natural flow of water with embankments. We should build bridges across it. This is one of the sure ways to avoid a natural disaster.”
He also believed that the Public Works Department (JKR) would identify all areas in Padawan and Penrissen as far as amending and rectifying the road construction designs and drainage were concerned, in avoiding future untoward incidents.
“I am also confident that JKR has taken all the necessary steps by putting up a temporary metal bridge or set up road diversions at the affected areas.”
On the landslides that had almost destroyed houses in Kampung Sigandar, Kampung Timurang and Kampung Simuti, Lo stressed on the need for the people to use their better judgment when deciding the location to build their homes.
“It is very unfortunate for them (victims) but all this could have been avoided if only their homes were built on a better location,” he said, adding that the most suitable sites to build houses would be those near tree-filled hills and mountains.
Lo was also confident that the state Welfare Department as well as the people’s representatives would look into the plight of these affected villagers and provide them with assistance and support.