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Landslides are a common occurrence not only Cameron Highlands but in many of the various highlands around the country in Malaysia. This recent photo of a landslide in the front page of a local daily shows how bad the situation it can be. The landslide not only caused an impasse but it could also be hazardous to road users who would be most unfortunate to bear the brunt of mud and earth crashing onto the vehicle. Most of the time, we holiday makers don't think too much about it, though it would be most unfortunate if it happened to us. We could only pray and hope that we would have safe journey to the highlands for our holiday break.
 The road to leading to Cameron Highlands from Tapah was closed to traffic for almost 14 hours following a landslide at the 55th kilometre of the Jalan Tapah-Cameron Highlands around midnight. Cameron Highlands OCPD Deputy Supt Yahaya Othman said no casualties were reported in the incident, which occurred between Ringlet and Tanah Rata. The road was reopened at 2pm yesterday following clean-up works. - The Star 16/4/2008.
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With abundant rain in the Malaysian tropics, water saturation in the hills would cause the ground on the hills to become unstable. Once it reaches a critical point, the earth and mud would lose its viscosity and everything comes crashing downwards. Though the soil movement may look slow, even at 2 to 20kph, the large body of debris is highly dangerous, because of the amount of earth moving, the momentum could push a car off the edge of the road plus getting buried will not be a good experience.
I recalled talking to a manager in Strawberry Park Resort that one day around end of 2005, a group of tourist in three cars drove up to Gunung Brinchang, but had the misfortune of not being able to return when their road was cut off due to a landslide. Though no one was hurt, they had to leave their cars on the mountain top as the landslide was not immediately cleared. The group made the eventful trip around end of the year when the monsoon season was up and about which brought about quite a fair amount of rainfall to the Cameron Highlands region. In addition, the manager concluded that the pounding weight of a moving vehicles could have destabilized the road leading to the road collapsing.
Landslides can occur not only on the older narrower road from Tapah, but also on the new wider easier to drive road from Simpang Pulai. Nareshkumar would attest to that having survived being nearly buried in April 2006 when the road gave way on the 13th kilometer of the highway between the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road.
Cameron Highlands Malaysia: Camerons Mudslide Survivor
Once a landslide occurred, depending on the severity of the landslide, it would take the authorities from several hours or more to clear away the debris. The best option would probably be to turn back and use an alternative route up since there are two ways to go up to Cameron Highlands now.
Though landslides can be frightening, the chances of getting caught in one is pretty slim. Is just like an aircraft crash, the statistic showed that driving in car would be more dangerous then flying in an aircraft. Likewise losing control of your car in the winding bends would be more precarious then facing a deluge of mud and debris falling on your car. I have seen cars moving really high speed coming down the Simpang Pulai way and cutting into your lane. These guys are crazy and they are a hazard to other motorist. Then there are those who are too careful or inexperience driving the zig-zag road of the highlands and ended up driving like tortoise blocking your path and severely testing your patience.
Prudent driving would be advisable, neither too slow and be a road hog nor too fast like a mad rally driver. Better to get to your destination safe and sound and live to tell your boring but relaxing holidays to your friends then tell an eventful tale that you would rather not experience.
Have a safe journey and enjoy yourselves!
Cheers!
Jan.
17-April-2008.
From: Idil
Sent: Thursday, 1 May, 2008 1:36 PM
To: Jan
Subject: Landslides in CH
Hi Jan and happy labour day...
I was at CH at Dec 05, I wanted to drive up to Sg Palas Boh but the road was closed due to that landslide.Anyway, the locals verbally informed me to just pay some RM to the guides who will drive up with 4X4 all the way as this is safer...I am thinking the same for my next visit too, afterall I am driving a 1.6 Auto and that is a horrible set up for any steep inclines!!
BTW, you're right about the way some drivers negotiate the new route from CH to Simpang Pulai or Gua Musang...I have driven both routes and I did mentioned about the way the roads were engineered. it will catch any driver who do not practise defensive driving off guard...Maybe we start a campaign of some sort? I still had the image of the overturned 4X4 and wrecked front of the Perak registered car after colliding head-on with that 4X4 in my mind when I drove from CH to Penang....My motto is "Half of the fun is getting there..." so route plan well with ample time so that there is NO reason to RUSH...and have plan B for contingency stop if needed too...
I am currently route planning again for the June holidays...
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With Best Regards,
Idilfitri Bin Mohammed Yatim
Dear Idil,
Ya, half the fun indeed is getting there, plus the preparation as well, though some people might get anxious if they were going there for the first time. It is like a step into the unknown, a leap of faith so to speak. Still, careful planning and as you said, defensive driving and not driving as though there is no time left in the world would make a pleasant trip. However there are some things beyond our control and we leave that to the Almighty hands.
I haven’t been to Cameron Highlands for awhile and this May my missus would like to go Singapore for shopping spree. Oh, well I take my vacations where I can.
Cheers, happy holidays and have a good next trip!
Jan.
2/May/2008
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