A family of five had a close escape when a landslide hit their house in Penampang District in Malaysia's Sabah Province, at about 4.00 ppm local time (about 8.00 am GMT) on Sunday 8 September 2013. The event happened in the Kampung Kolopis area as part of a hillside collapsed following several hours of heavy rain that led to flash flooding in parts of the district, and caused the Moyog River to burst its banks. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall.
Scene inside the house at Kampung Kolopis, following the 8 September 2013 landslide. New Straits Times.
Many areas of south and east Asia have suffered a string of flooding and landslide events this year, following an exceptional Himalayan Monsoon and a string of tropical storms. The worst hit countries have been India, China and Nepal, where over a thousand people have died, but no countries in the area have escaped completely unscathed.
The approximate location of the 8 September 2013 Penampeng landslide. Google Maps.
See also Family of five killed by landslide in Sikkim, Five injured in Uttarakhand landslide, Miner killed in landslide on Mindanao Island, the Philippines, Worker killed by landslide in Vietnam and At least three dead following landslide in Guizhou Province, China.
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