By Cam Fortems
Kamloops This Week
The city is considering installation of a pipe to divert water from a Rayleigh hillside that is at risk of landslide.
Officials from the city and province met Monday morning to consider options to lessen risk in the Palmer-Forsyth area, where a large hill is sloughing due to heavy runoff.
The bank can be seen to be collapsing and a small slide occurred last month across Highway 5 North.
At least 22 people from eight homes were evacuated on April 27 from Ramage Road on the west side of the highway.
A state of local emergency has been declared due to fears of the landslide.
City spokeswoman Tammy Robertson said slope-monitoring equipment installed over the weekend showed the hillside continuing to move downward.
The city and provincial Ministry of Transportation are looking at ways to lessen risk.
“These efforts could include installation of a pipe to divert water from a spring located above the sloughing area around the problem slope,” the city said in a statement.
“This mitigation measure would take approximately seven days to complete. The water diversion is expected to improve drying of the hillside and stop the soil movement.”
The evacuation order remains in effect.
Residents have been given 13 days worth of support, Campbell said.
Other infrastructure at risk include the highway, CN Rail track and a high-pressure gas line.