Menora Tunnel Landslide Road Reopened After Assessment

Menora Tunnel is a twin-bore motorway tunnel on the North-South Expressway (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan) in Perak, Malaysia, operated by PLUS Malaysia Berhad. On 11 September 2026, a slope collapse occurred at Kilometer 263.6 on the southbound carriageway, approximately 2 kilometres after the tunnel in the direction of Ipoh. The incident, which took place during heavy rain at around 4:30 PM, led to the temporary closure of the left lane while traffic was diverted to the right lane. All lanes were fully reopened by 7:00 PM the same day, and PLUS is conducting further slope stability assessments with engineering experts. The tunnel is a critical link on Malaysia's primary north-south motorway corridor, connecting northern states with the Klang Valley and Singapore.

Key Facts

This section provides the verified operational and incident-specific figures for the Menora Tunnel slope collapse at KM 263.6 southbound, as confirmed by Perak Police and PLUS Malaysia Berhad in official statements on 11 September 2026.

What Happened at the Menora Tunnel Landslide?

The slope collapse occurred at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, 11 September 2026, on the left lane of the southbound North-South Expressway at KM 263.6, roughly 2 kilometres after Menora Tunnel, during a period of heavy rain. The left lane was immediately closed and the right lane remained operational to maintain traffic flow.

Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday night:

"No fatalities, injuries, or property damage were reported in this incident."

— Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, Perak Police Chief (as reported by Sinar Harian, 11 September 2026)

Cleaning works at the site were completed within several hours, allowing all lanes to reopen fully by 7:00 PM the same evening. During the closure, traffic congestion extended up to 15 kilometres along the southbound carriageway, underscoring the route's critical role for motorists travelling between Ipoh and the Klang Valley.

The Menora Tunnel landslide at KM 263.6 southbound was fully cleared and all lanes reopened by 7:00 PM on 11 September 2026, less than three hours after the incident occurred.

Who Responded to the Menora Tunnel Slope Collapse?

The emergency response was coordinated jointly by PLUS Malaysia Berhad, Perak Police (PDRM), and related government agencies. Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin issued the official public statement confirming the road's reopening and advising motorists of ongoing monitoring activities.

Authorities confirmed there were no casualties, injuries, or property damage. However, PLUS Malaysia Berhad has initiated further slope stability assessments with engineering experts before determining long-term mitigation measures for the hillside at KM 263.6.

"PLUS is obtaining further assessment from experts regarding the condition of the hill slope in the area. This is to ensure the safety of the route before further action is determined."

— Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, Perak Police Chief (via Sinar Harian)

PLUS Malaysia Berhad, alongside Perak Police, led the emergency response and commenced expert slope assessments at KM 263.6 following the 11 September 2026 landslide incident.

Is the Menora Tunnel Highway Route Safe to Use Now?

All lanes on the southbound North-South Expressway at KM 263.6 have been fully reopened to all road users as of 7:00 PM on Friday, 11 September 2026, following the completion of cleaning works. PLUS Malaysia Berhad and related agencies remain on-site to monitor current conditions and maintain smooth traffic flow.

Motorists travelling through the Menora Tunnel area and adjacent hilly sections are advised by police to reduce speed and obey all safety signage. The ongoing slope assessment by PLUS experts means the situation remains under continuous review, particularly given that heavy tropical rain was a factor in the original incident.

"All highway users, especially those passing through the Menora Tunnel area and nearby hilly routes, are advised to reduce speed and obey safety signs."

— Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, Perak Police Chief (via Sinar Harian)

The Menora Tunnel southbound corridor at KM 263.6 is open to all traffic as of 7:00 PM on 11 September 2026, but motorists are advised to remain cautious while PLUS completes expert slope assessments.

How This Affects Malaysian Highway Users

The North-South Expressway is Malaysia's primary north-south motorway corridor, connecting Penang, Perak, and the northern states with the Klang Valley and Singapore. The Menora Tunnel section at KM 263.6 southbound is a hilly, elevated stretch where heavy tropical rainfall can compromise slope stability, as demonstrated by the 11 September 2026 collapse.

For Malaysian commuters, freight operators, and long-distance travellers, disruptions at this section can cause significant delays. The 15-kilometre traffic jam reported during this incident highlights the criticality of this link. Motorists are advised to monitor PLUS traffic updates through official channels during periods of heavy rainfall and to expect possible weather-related incidents on hilly highway sections during the monsoon season.

Regular users of the North-South Expressway between Ipoh and Penang should anticipate potential slope-related disruptions at the Menora Tunnel section during heavy rainfall and should monitor PLUS official traffic channels for real-time updates.

Common Questions

What caused the landslide near Menora Tunnel?

The slope collapse at KM 263.6 southbound occurred during a period of heavy rain at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, 11 September 2026. While the exact geological trigger has not been officially confirmed as of the article's publication, heavy rainfall in the hilly terrain surrounding Menora Tunnel is cited as the immediate environmental factor.

How long was the road closed after the Menora Tunnel landslide?

The left lane of the southbound carriageway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours — from around 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM — while cleaning works were carried out. Traffic was diverted to the right lane during the closure, with congestion extending up to 15 kilometres.

Was anyone injured in the Menora Tunnel landslide?

No casualties, injuries, or property damage were reported. Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed this in his official statement on Friday night, 11 September 2026, stating that the incident was resolved without harm to any road users.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta.my report titled "Cerun runtuh 2km dari Terowong Menora: Laluan dibuka semula, PLUS buat penilaian," published on 11 September 2026. The source article references official statements from Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin and operational updates from PLUS Malaysia Berhad. Original reporting was credited to Sinar Harian.

All direct quotes used in this article were translated from Malay to English by the editor while preserving original meaning and attributions. No statistics, dates, or claims have been added beyond what the source material contains. This article was last updated on 11 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta.my source and the official Perak Police statement as reported.