UNDERGROUND WATER FLOW SUSPECTED CAUSE OF JALAN BAGAN LALANG SINKHOLE

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 27 (Bernama) — Underground water flow is believed to have caused the ground subsidence that formed a sinkhole along Jalan Bagan Lalang here yesterday, said Sungai Puyu state assemblyman Phee Syn Tze.

Phee said Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) is conducting further investigations to confirm the cause of the incident.

She said the incident, which occurred at about 4.30 pm, resulted in a sinkhole measuring two metres in diameter and 1.5 metres deep.

"IWK is still conducting investigations and suspects a possible underground pipe leak, as the location is along a sewer pipeline route belonging to IWK.

“Immediate action was taken by IWK’s contractor together with the Public Works Department by temporarily covering the hole with crusher run, as well as installing safety barriers and blinking lights around the affected area as a precautionary measure,” she said.

She told reporters this after inspecting the site of the incident today, which was also attended by Seberang Perai Utara district engineer Mohd Zuwairi Samsuddin.

Phee said a similar incident had been reported at another location near the area several years ago.

She said yesterday’s incident also damaged a pipeline believed to be more than 70 years old.

"Road users are reminded to be cautious and to slow down when passing through this route,” she said.

— BERNAMA