GEORGE TOWN: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) is expected to take a week to repair the sinkhole that emerged on a residential road in Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol has advised road users to find alternative routes as the road to Taman Sri Nibong via Krystal Point will be closed.
"The route from Taman Sri Nibong to Krystal Point will also be temporarily closed in both directions," he stated.
"The closure will last for a week to allow repair works," he added.
Fahmi mentioned that the 9.8ft (3m)-deep sinkhole along Lebuh Bukit 3 in Taman Sri Nibong was caused by a leaking underground IWK pipe, which led to sand erosion and resulted in the sinkhole.
The sinkhole, several feet wide, was filled with water.
It was discovered around 8am after a school bus drove over it, causing one of its rear tyres to become stuck in the hole.
Reports suggest that a burst IWK pipe may have caused the sinkhole, as a foul smell was detected in the area.
Fahmi, who visited the site, expressed his shock at the road's subsidence and noted that this was the first incident of its kind.
"It appears the soil has eroded, and the surrounding area is unstable. Barriers have been set up, and that section has been cordoned off from traffic until repairs are completed," he said.
