Brunei Face Landside Danger In Many Places

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei is to fight landslides now hitting many areas, Public Works Department said yesterday.

Early investigation is crucial in determining the condition and situation of a land structure and collecting important data and information in preventing slope erosion and damage, officials pointed out.

Based on the information, geologists will be able to chart out plans and make appropriate rehabilitation programs when there is slope erosion, or if a landslide or sedimentation of land surface occur.

Among the causes of a landslide or damage to a hill slope is due to the failure to understand about slope structure, making unsuitable designs and less understanding on how to protect the soil surface.

Another cause is due to the fact that construction work on the hill slope does not meet the standard, thus causing unsatisfactory result.

It could be attributed to poor design causing drainage blockade.

Inconsiderate action by humans also spoil the environment.

Cutting down trees and grass burning are just some of the irresponsible actions by humans and that contribute to slope failures.

The heavy downpour phenomenon also contributes to landslide.

The MSSR Radar situated at kilometre 19.5 of the Muara-Tutong Highway is one example of landslide.

The Radar building, which belongs to the Civil Aviation Department, is located at the hilltop.

The hill slope eroded since late December last year, covering an area of about 750 square meters.

The erosion also took a toll on the soil surface, wearing away two to three meters in depth.

The degree of steepness and the type of sand has also worsened the situation.

As an initial step, the Public Works Department through the Technical Service Department has taken an action by covering the affected area with a layer of canvas.

Dayang Alice Lim Sui Kau, a Geologist at the Land and Geologist Section of the Technical Service Department said before the rehabilitation work was carried out, drilling has to be done to take a sample of the soil.

The sample enabled geologists to study and evaluate suitable design to protect the slope Dayang Lim said the soil sample was critical in examining the type of land there.

It was sent to the Laboratory of the Land and Geologist Section who provided engineers with data to chart out suitable plans to stop landslide.

A similar incident occurred before at the other side of the Radar Building.

The construction involved two wall blockings.

Each wall measured about 70 meters long and 3 to 4.5 meters high.

It is also involved the construction of concrete floor and drains and planting of trees at the slope to strengthen the surface.

The project began on January 2001 and completed in July the same year costing $300,000.

Preventive measures of slope failure in Brunei are subjected to the type of soil, slope, the hight of the hill and condition of the damaged slope.

The design made by the Land and Geologist Section to prevent and rehabilitation of landslide is based on suitable methods.

Capable engineers well versed in common engineering or land engineering should carry out the design for slope rehabilitation.

The design should be based on the Brunei and British standards.

The rehabilitation of hill slope is important for maintaining the existing slopes.

Maintenance can be done by not neglecting the open land at the hill slope without plants, avoid open burning and cutting down trees, as well as not to block drains and wafer flow.

Several steps can be implemented when a landslide happened.

First is by covering the land surface with a sheet of canvas or plastic to avoid the condition from worsening.

Next, cut a branch of a tree in order to avoid further slide and try to hold it with big rocks.

Meanwhile members of the public can forward any complaints, on landslide problem to the Technical Service Department of the Public Work Department. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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