The affected area covered with plastic to prevent major soil erosion.
BINTULU: The local authorities here are currently monitoring closely the damage caused by soil erosion at the backyard of TR Jonathan Philip longhouse at Tatau-Bintulu Road.
Tatau district officer Nyurak Keti said even though all the 40 residents from 15 families have returned to their respective homes yesterday after being evacuated to Tatau Community Hall on Sunday, police personnel are on site to monitor the situation as a precautionary measure.
“The soil erosion occurred at the backyard which is the kitchen area of the 21-door longhouse.
“The Public Works Department (PWD) will carry out remedial works at the affected area,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
According to Nyurak there was a retaining wall constructed at the backyard of the longhouse but it had yet to be completed.
“I can’t comment further on the technical aspect but on our part we are ever ready to mobilise our teams for emergency evacuation.
“In case tonight there is heavy rain in the area, the soil erosion can cause more damage and the affected residents will be immediately evacuated,” Nyurak cautioned.
He said all the relevant agencies namely police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and Bintulu Development Authority are on standby mode in case an emergency occurs.
Meanwhile Bintulu PWD divisional engineer Wisil Lichok when contacted said technically the affected area was not safe at the moment and anything could happen.
Nevertheless he said close monitoring of the soil movement at the affected area was being carried out.