Sinkhole incident: Sewage jets used on fourth day of rescue operations

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — High-powered water jets from Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) were used on the fourth day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation to find the Indian tourist who was swallowed by a sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India here on Friday.

The jets were used to break up the rock debris about four metres past the manhole in front of Wisma Yakin, Jalan Masjid India here and will continue to be used this evening to allow the SAR team to see if there are any foreign objects stuck on the debris.

The IWK also flushed all manholes along the sewer line and monitored its Pantai Dalam treatment plant, but was unable to find any new leads.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been instructed to immediately form close partnerships with geologists and infrastructure experts to assess and reduce any risk of sinkholes occurring.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she was communicating with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif to identify immediate steps to be taken and long-term strategies, as well as Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy on the progress of the research.

She added that the Department of Federal Territories and DBKL will strengthen development standard operating procedures by ensuring that geotechnical studies carried out by accredited engineers are submitted at an earlier stage, when applying for planning approval.

Finally, the visas of the four family members of the victim, Vjayaletchumy, 48, were extended today by the Immigration Department, said Special Agent to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Arvend Applasamy after meeting them at the sinkhole scene, and offered help and conveyed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of Ahmad Zahid. — Bernama