Seven families in three villages in Labuan have vacated their houses due to soil erosion which had caused a house to collapse early today following heavy downpour since four days ago.

If heavy rain persisted in the next few days, more houses in Kampung Patau-Patau 2, Sungai Keling and Rancha-Rancha will be in a precarious condition.

Labuan police chief Adzhar Othman said the families were told to leave their homes after the Labuan Fire and Rescue Department inspected the affected areas, following the lodging of a report by a Kampung Keling resident yesterday morning.  

Three houses on a hillside in Kampung Sungai Keling were found to be unsafe and at risk of collapsing, he said, adding that firemen would continue to monitor the situation.

A resident from Kampung Patau-Patau 2, Juliana Jumat, 20, said the land eroded following heavy rain since three days ago and residents were keeping watch on the situation.

“We feel insecure and hope the local authority will provide assistance to us. Several houses have tilted and their kitchens are on the verge of collapsing due to soil erosion,” she said.

She said a stretch of road leading to Kampung Patau-Patau 2 had sank, causing difficulty in reaching the village.

The victims are taking refuge at nearby community halls while the Labuan Member of Parliament’s office and the Welfare Services Department are extending help to them.

- Bernama