Road closed by second landslide in Sabah in two days

A second landslide in two days in Sabah, caused by heavy rain, forced the closure of the Penampang-Tambunan Road at Km21 in Kampung Babagon early today.

No one was injured in the incident, which occurred at about 5 am at a stretch 45 minutes from this city, said Penampang Police chief DSP Ratan Kumar Singh.

"The people are advised to use alternative roads, such as Jalan Kimanis-Keningau," he told Bernama.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohd Affendi K. Ramin said in a statement that the department was notified of the landslide at 5.04 am and it rushed a team there in about 15 minutes.

Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) director Datuk John Anthony said the road had been closed and a police patrol unit was there to guide traffic.

"For Penampang-Tambunan, repair is ongoing and expect road passable by 7 pm," he said in a text message.

Two days ago, a stretch of Jalan Merakau in Ranau collapsed due to a landslide, also caused by heavy rain. John said the stretch of road had been repaired and opened to traffic.