KUALA LUMPUR: The sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India is not caused at all by the flash floods in Kuala Lumpur, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
“It was just a coincidence that there were several incidents due to heavy rain,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).
Since the sinkhole incident, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been conducting a soil structure study in the area, and it’s at the final stage of the study.
“Mapping and underground integrity testing are also being carried out in the central business district.
“Soil investigation work to determine the soil layer structure will use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Mackintosh Probe (MP), a specialised tool,” she said in a reply to Teresa Kok (PH -Seputeh) in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 21).
Moreover, there will be appropriate geophysical tests, such as microgravity to detect any underground cavities and Ground Settlement Monitoring to detect soil movement, she added.
“Repair and replacement work for assets in deteriorating condition will continue,” she said.
For the long-term, City Hall will also conduct soil investigations using Deep Boring (Bore Hole) accompanied by laboratory tests, she said.
“City Hall will submit a geotechnical report by a certified civil engineer promptly for high-risk development areas,” she said.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India was caused by geographical and soil structure factors.
He explained that the limestone soil composition in the area disrupts the flow of underground water, leading to soil instability and ultimately resulting in the formation of the sinkhole.
On Aug 23, a tourist from India, identified as Vijayalaksmi, 48, fell into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole after the ground gave way when she was walking in the area in front of Malayan Mansion.
