Kota Kinabalu: Hill cutting at Bandar Sierra is giving residents there sleepless nights, especially during a heavy downpour, as a natural stream located at the top of the hill appears to have become blocked.
A spokesman for the residents said the hill was initially covered with thick forest that attracted hiking enthusiasts.
However, ever since the clearing started last year the stream which long served as a natural drainage channel appears to have been partially sealed off, which could spell disaster during the rainy season.
In 2021, when Bandar Sierra residents were plagued with constant water shortages, they decided to join hands to build a gravity water system as their alternative source with water from the stream.
“Our concern is not the water source but that the discharge point is no longer visible. We fear landslide, mudslide or floods due to the stream being completely sealed off,” he told Daily Express.
“If the water has nowhere to go, it will eventually find its own path — and that path could be through our neighborhood,” he added.
“Hence, we seek clarification from the relevant authorities whether the hill-cutting activity is in accordance with the environmental guidelines and what happened to the natural stream.
Under Malaysian environmental regulations, certain categories of earthworks — particularly those involving slopes, waterways or significant land alteration – require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to identify risks to surrounding communities.
This includes identifying sensitive environmental areas or land-uses that require protection such as aquatic plants, animals or if a natural waterway is affected.
The assessment covers key environmental impacts associated with activities on hill slopes concerning drainage run-off and peak flows.
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