KUALA LUMPUR – The Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) plant in Pantai Dalam has been identified as the final search location for Vijaya Lakshmi, an Indian tourist who fell into a sinkhole at Jalan Masjid India last Friday.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the plant, which comprises two facilities, serves as the terminal point of the waste management pipeline, handling the sewage of approximately 1.8 million Kuala Lumpur residents.
“All of it comes here. Thus far, from what we have seen, the (underground) flow from the point where the incident took place comes directly here and doesn’t go anywhere else,” Fahmi, who also serves as the Lembah Pantai MP, said during a press conference following his visit to the plant.
“The (search) team has yet to find anything, but nothing has passed by beyond this point. There’s a physical screen here that separates and processes the material across the two facilities.”
During his visit, Fahmi was briefed on the ongoing search-and-rescue operations by representatives from the Natural Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Fire and Rescue Department, police, and IWK.
“In terms of their efforts, I see the dedication. They’ve explained regarding the technology and techniques used and we hope that the team will be able to turn out something soon.”
He added that he would address concerns regarding the welfare of the search-and-rescue team, following reports of highly toxic and flammable sewer gas accumulating in a 15m-high sewage tank at the Pantai Dalam IWK plant.
The tank was reported to contain hazardous gases, including hydrogen sulphide and methane, requiring search personnel to use specialised protective equipment and breathing apparatus.
Asked whether the search operation would continue during the Merdeka Day celebrations, Fahmi confirmed that the operation would persist until directed otherwise.
The search for the 48-year-old victim entered its fifth day today after the tourist fell into an 8m-deep sinkhole that suddenly opened beneath her while she was walking in front of the Malayan Mansion in the city centre.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof previously explained that the incident was due to geographical and soil structure factors.
He said that the area’s limestone soil composition disrupts the flow of underground water, leading to soil instability and, ultimately, the formation of the sinkhole. – August 27, 2024