Authorities in Perak are proposing 24-hour CCTV monitoring along the Menora Tunnel stretch of the North-South Expressway following a recent soil movement incident caused by heavy rain. The proposal is part of a series of immediate measures aimed at enhancing safety monitoring along the slope, according to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Perak’s infrastructure, energy, water and public transport committee chairman.
The landslide occurred on Saturday at KM263.6 near the Menora Tunnel after rainfall measured at approximately 65 to 66 millimeters, which exceeded the usual 40-millimeter average. The heavy rain caused soil movement that destabilized trees on the upper section of the slope, leading to their collapse. No casualties were reported.
Mohammad Nizar said that if the proposal is approved, a dedicated monitoring center will be established to oversee the CCTV footage covering the entire slope area. Additional safety measures under consideration include increased patrols and the installation of warning signs to alert motorists to potential hazards.
The affected site has already been cordoned off to prevent further rainwater from seeping into the soil and worsening the instability. Plastic sheets have been placed at the site to channel rainwater away from vulnerable soil areas. Monitoring efforts by both the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and PLUS Malaysia Bhd, the expressway operator, currently involve strategic use of drones to survey the slope and identify water sources that could contribute to soil weakening.
Mohammad Nizar reassured the public that the expressway remains safe for motorists. He emphasized that the incident was primarily triggered by unusual rainfall rather than structural deficiency.
For longer-term mitigation, plans include reinforcement work such as stabilizing large rocks and installing wire mesh in sections of the slope deemed at risk. The slope between Menora and Jelapang is extensive, and each section requires individual assessment.
The Public Works Department is deploying advanced technology, including satellite monitoring, in other areas like Simpang Pulai to detect ground movements and falling boulders. Compared with the larger-scale issues being observed from Simpang Pulai towards Blue Valley, the Menora Tunnel situation is smaller in scale. Mohammad Nizar noted that data from such monitoring efforts could be shared with PLUS and LLM to facilitate early detection and prompt response to any future soil or rock movement.
Present during the site visit were Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz, PLUS Malaysia Bhd’s senior general manager of operations, and Muhd Yusrizan Mohd Yusof, northern region director of the Malaysian Highway Authority. Together, authorities continue to evaluate the site and explore both immediate and long-term measures to ensure slope stability and road safety along the expressway stretch.