Causal Factors of Malaysian Landslides: A Narrative Study

Abstract

Role of human uncertainties is not unusual. Most of the landslides emerge on manmade slopes and this is in essence the upshot of uncertainties related to human factors/human errors. These "human factors" are thorny to weigh up during the design process but can cause pressure on structural integrity/safety. In this study author has tried to pinpoint two most disastrous landslides of Malaysian region which has been occurred in different decades, without any geological or morphological reason. This study also exposes those sources/causal factors due to which slope failures are frequent. In the end the author is proposing the causal factor control plan (due to which landslides are numbering day by day). In actual this study conceded out that reliability theory can be used as a logical substitute and found it much more consistent as compared to traditional practices.

Analytical study of the causes of the major landslide of Bukit Antarabangsa in 2008 using fault tree analysis

“…Authorities have already established that no signs of earth motion were evident in seismic records, so the possibility that the 2008 landslide was triggered by earthquake forces is negligible. Another possibility which has been highlighted is that this landslide was the outcome of a pipe burst [3]. The official authority of Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) at Ulu Klang, Malaysia reported on the 2008 Bukit Antarabangsa landslide, identifying leaking water pipelines near Jalan Wangsa 11, which is very close to the landslide area, being responsible for the buildup of water pressure in the soil pores.…”

Landslide Hazards: Household Vulnerability, Resilience and Coping in Malaysia

“…In addition, human factors such as unsustainable development on slopes and hill areas also contributed to the landslide occurrences in Malaysia. Various authors believe that slope failure incidences are frequent in Malaysia (Qasim et al, 2012). House and building projects constructed in hills areas still continue although many landslide cases have been reported recently.…”

Landslide Disaster in Malaysia: An Overview

“…In addition, hill slope areas are under the pressure of human activities such as deforestation and excavation of slopes for road construction, and land-clearing for agriculture and building construction which are key factors for landslides (Dai et al 2002). Furthermore, prolonged and intense rainfall, slope instability, topography and soil characteristics also have considerable effects on landslide occurrence (Qasim et al 2013a;Jamaludin 2006). In absence of appropriate data base, lack in appropriate hill slope technology, cooperation among the organization for establishment of strategies, planning and awareness to reduce landslide risk, the inhabitants of the terrains are still under a high risk.…”