KUALA LUMPUR – A collapsed drain along Jalan Pantai Permai in Kg Kerinchi, here, was not caused by issues with sewerage pipes, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd has clarified.
In a statement today, IWK said its operation team had inspected the incident area as soon as it received a report from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), following which it was found that sewage water was flowing smoothly through the pipes as usual.
Further inspections carried out yesterday afternoon using CCTV showed that the pipes were in good condition with no damage detected.
“IWK believes the incident was caused by other factors and requires a detailed investigation by other relevant agencies,” it said, adding that the results of its probe have been submitted to DBKL.
On Tuesday, DBKL said preliminary safety works such as installing safety ropes, barriers and cones around the area were done at 10pm the previous day when the collapsed drain resulted in a gaping hole in the ground.
Pictures posted on DBKL’s Facebook show a huge void next to a road, with part of a pavement caving in and taking down the drain structure with it into the hole.
The incident came after rainy weather in the capital city and four days after a sinkhole appeared on Jalan Masjid India on August 23, swallowing a 48-year-old female Indian tourist who has yet to be found.
Search operations in the sewers under the city centre area remain ongoing, with no leads other than a pair of slippers belonging to the woman.
It is understood that the search operation, now in its eighth day, is still focused on efforts to clear a “backlog” or 15m blockage detected yesterday in the sewerage lines below Wisma Yakin, approximately 44m from the sinkhole. – August 30, 2024