Clean-up needed: Some of the damage that occured at Jalan Bukit Tinggi due to floods in Bentong, Pahang. — Bernama
KUANTAN: A stretch of the federal route leading to Bentong and Janda Baik will be closed to all vehicles until Dec 1 due to structural damage.
The affected stretch is FT68 or Jalan Lama Gombak to Bentong, specifically Sections 43.00 to 43.40 and Jalan Pintasan Bukit Tinggi from Sections 1.98 to 2.58 in Bentong.
Bentong district Public Works Department (JKR), in a statement uploaded on social media, announced the closure of the route which is located near the Janda Baik T-junction to ensure the safety of road users.
As such, those heading to Janda Baik are advised to use the alternative route by taking the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway to the Bukit Tinggi Intersection heading towards the Bukit Tinggi BHP petrol station and passing through SMK Bukit Tinggi. Road users are also urged to abide by the road signs and contact the Bentong JKR office at 09-2224040 for inquiries, Bernama reported.
The road was part of the site involved in the debris flow incident that occurred for three hours from 8pm on Saturday, leading to the flow of water carrying bricks and sediments as well as fallen trees.
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, in a statement on social media, said in addition to road cracks, the incident also caused hill slope collapses and damage to residents’ properties that could affect their daily activities as well as the local economy.
In light of this, she urged that a comprehensive study be made by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) for the necessary mitigation work, especially in high-risk areas such as Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik.
“At the same time, immediate repairs to slopes and roads as well as river cleaning and dredging work will be carried out by JKR and JPS as a temporary measure before a long-term restoration plan is implemented,” she said.
JPS in a statement said the debris flow occurred due to three hours of rain which resulted in several houses and business premises being inundated in an average depth of 0.3m to 0.6m before the water receded.
“The flood in the area was caused by a water surge that brought stones and sediments which led to the road crossing being blocked and overflow of Sungai Tanglir tributary onto the road,” it said.
