Growing sinkhole forces road closure in Bandar Utama

The rapidly widening sinkhole in Persiaran Bandar Utama was initially a small pothole. — WEY WEI LING/The Star

What was a small pothole in Persiaran Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya, which was left unattended has imploded into a metre-deep hole that is as wide as two cars parked side by side.

Dr Adrian Wong, 40, who used the affected road frequently, said he first noticed a pothole in that spot last week.

“I am shocked at its size when I saw it today,” he said, referring to the sinkhole on the slip road at the T-junction of Persiaran Bandar Utama and Lebuh Bandar Utama.

A resident in the vicinity, Niklas Albakri said the sinkhole was expanding rapidly as it did not take up the entire width of the road when he saw it over the weekend.

When StarMetro visited the site, sand was still sliding down the wall of the sinkhole. The site has been cordoned off with a yellow tape by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Council Public Relations director Haniza Abdul Hamid said the affected road had been temporarily closed to prevent any untoward incident.

Residents are particularly worried in light of the rainy season.

A Bandar Utama resident, who wished to be known only as Koh, said she used that route to send her daughter to the Chinese school nearby.

“It is dangerous, especially for those driving here at night, even if that area has been closed off,” she said.

A bus driver, who did not want to be identified, said the sinkhole was causing problems for buses on that route.

“That slip road is part of our route. Now that the road is closed because of the sinkhole, we have to turn left at the junction itself, which is a very tight squeeze,” he said.

Haniza said the council visited the site and ascertained that the problem was caused by a broken underground pipe.

“We have informed IWK and we were told that repair works will take place,” she added.

Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) senior manager Shahrul Nizam Sulaiman said IWK had instructed its contractor to carry out immediate repair work on the sewer line and the road.

“Proper measures will be taken to ensure the safety of motorists. Repair work is expected to be completed by next Monday."