KUALA LUMPUR – Friday’s incident where an Indian tourist fell into a sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India warrants an immediate review of nearby underground utilities to mitigate potential risks, said the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).
IEM president Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin said that while the exact cause of the sinkhole remains undetermined, the accident “is likely to be associated” with utilities, based on an understanding of photos and videos from the media.
“While the exact cause of the sinkhole remains undetermined, IEM emphasises the incident should serve as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to rigorous engineering standards and best practices in the design, construction and maintenance of underground utilities,” he said in a statement today.
He also recommended that the authorities consider input from professional engineers when action is taken to stabilise the affected areas, especially since another ground depression occurred previously near the site of Friday’s incident.
“IEM is urging the relevant authorities, including the local council, engineering professionals and other stakeholders, to undertake a comprehensive and transparent investigation.
“IEM also recommends that immediate actions be taken to stabilise the affected areas with input from professional engineers and to review nearby underground utilities to mitigate similar incidents in the future.”
IEM also proposed more stringent checks and safety measures be carried out by qualified professional engineers in the design, construction and supervision of all critical infrastructure work, Chiang added.
IEM, as a locally and internationally recognised society with over 50,000 members, is prepared to offer its technical expertise to address the incident, he also said.
Search-and-rescue operations for the victim, identified as Vijayalaksmi, 48, have entered the third day today after the tourist fell into the 8m-deep sinkhole, which opened under her while walking in front of the Malayan Mansion in the city centre here on Friday morning.
Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said today rescue teams had conducted searches in six sewer manholes around the area and at the Indah Water Konsortium sewage plant in Pantai Dalam.
The six locations are at Wisma Yakin, Jalan Melayu, Jalan Melayu intersection, Dataran Merdeka, Bank Pertanian Lebuh Pasar Besar and the Kinabalu roundabout.
However, as of 7pm yesterday, authorities did not find any new leads regarding the victim’s whereabouts. – August 25, 2024