Death trap: The 8m-deep sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India where Vijayalakshmi disappeared into. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
A 3D geological model of Kuala Lumpur (3DKL) – a mapping system that will provide data on soil erosion and landslides – is in the works following concerns about the capital city’s safety as parts of it are built on limestone.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said the 3D model’s data would also span across other areas in the Klang Valley that come under the jurisdictions of 10 local governments.
The ministry said the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) was improving and updating data on the Klang Valley’s geography and geology.
“This project will be able to provide data and geological subsurface information to reduce the risk of geological disasters including soil erosion and landslides,” the ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 12.
“This data will be used to plan development, especially on stratum land,” it said.
Mapping areas at risk of landslides and those built on limestone are part of JMG’s measures to prevent and mitigate potential disasters.
Aside from that, the department will also conduct continuous remote sensing on soil movement, conduct comprehensive site investigation and ensure that underground utility systems are laid efficiently.
“Development and construction activities such as underground water pump, drilling, tunnels and mining have to be controlled to prevent disruption to underground water systems and prevent tremors,” it said.
Following the Jalan Masjid India sinkhole incident, the JMG’s Technical Sectoral report revealed that there were limestone cavities at areas where land deformation was identified.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has used the report to conduct a detailed site investigation to obtain the profile of the land structure around the sinkhole and come up with an appropriate mitigation plan.
The ministry was responding to Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed (PN-Kuala Terengganu) on the ministry’s follow-up actions following the Jalan Masjid India sinkhole incident.
On Aug 23, G. Vijayalakshmi, a 48-year-old woman from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, went missing after falling into an 8m-deep sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India.
Despite nine days of search and rescue operations, her body was never found.
