Nine families had to flee their homes after a landslide in Kampung Gambaron near Telupid today.

Telupid district officer Benedict Asmat said seven houses were affected by the landslide which started from the hill slopes and went into their backyards after heavy rainfall in the area yesterday.

He said the nine families comprising 40 people in seven houses were asked to vacate their homes for safety reasons.

Speaking to Bernama , he said they chose to move to other homes they had in the same village.

Benedict said they were told to move after checks jointly conducted by his office with the police and Welfare Department found that their homes were not safe for occupation following the landslide.

He said that the Welfare Department had also provided basic food items to the families.

The affected families would only be allowed to return home after landslide clearing works had been completed and their homes declared safe for dwelling, he added.

- Bernama