Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director John Sagun Francis said rescuers rushed to the scene after receiving a call.

However, he said checks later confirmed that no vehicles or victims were affected. "The team found that a section of the hillside had collapsed onto the road, covering an area of about 9m x 6m.

He said firefighters from Seri Balik Pulau and Paya Terubong stations carried out clearing works and removed fallen trees before the Public Works Department (JKR) and police took over the site.

Several smaller landslips and signs of soil erosion were also detected along the hillside stretch, prompting authorities to close the road.

Technician Kamarul Ariffin, 42, was among those caught in the chaos after the landslide struck. He said he was heading home on his motorcycle in Balik Pulau when he noticed vehicles ahead turning back.

"I saw people waving and shouting for us to turn around as there was a pile of soil and trees blocking the road. "It was a terrifying sight, I was lucky to have missed it," he said.

Kamarul said he knew Jalan Tun Sardon was prone to landslides. "Many of us still use it because it's the quickest way between George Town and Balik Pulau," he said.

Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said Jalan Tun Sardon would remain closed until further notice.

"The road will be closed pending investigation and clearing of the debris. "All road users are requested to reorganise their journeys," he said.

In a statement, the Public Works Department (JKR) said an 8km stretch between the Bukit Kukus intersection and Balik Pulau would be temporarily closed.

JKR said the road is expected to reopen to traffic by 6pm on Saturday (Oct 25).

Checks at 9pm found the stretch deserted as heavy rain continued to fall.

Much of the landslide debris had been cleared but contractors will only conduct thorough evaluation of the situation on Friday (Oct 24).