Penang: The Works Ministry (KKR) is closely monitoring more than 2,000 high-risk slopes nationwide during the ongoing northeast monsoon season, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He stated that these slopes are part of the 27,000 identified under the Public Works Department’s (JKR) Disaster Operations Room (BiGBen) system.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta emphasized the importance of identifying the locations and severity levels of these slopes to prioritize those requiring immediate action and maintain continuous monitoring. He shared these insights with reporters during an inspection of a slope repair project along Jalan Balik Pulau-Teluk Bahang.

The inspection was also attended by Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. Nanta highlighted that the ministry allocates between RM200 million and RM300 million annually for slope repair works along federal roads to ensure public safety.

He further explained that 73 rain gauge stations have been installed nationwide to monitor rainfall and provide early warnings during the monsoon period from November 5 to March 2026. The stations are designed to transmit data to headquarters and forward it to the relevant districts when rainfall exceeds 115 millimetres.

Regarding today’s visit, Nanta noted that RM1.3 million had been approved for maintenance work on a slope damaged by landslides on October 23 and 24. Construction is set to begin on November 14 and is expected to be completed in four months. He added that the ministry’s long-term maintenance contracts facilitate faster responses to critical slope issues without lengthy procurement delays.