BUKIT MERTAJAM: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd will carry out immediate repairs to a sewer pipe following a sinkhole incident at Lorong Perda Selatan 1, Bandar Perda, here, yesterday.
In a statement tonight, IWK said the repair work would involve open-cut excavation and would begin once the necessary permit had been obtained from the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
“Upon receiving a report yesterday, an IWK operations team was immediately dispatched to the site to conduct an initial inspection. A closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection revealed damage to a 900-millimetre-diameter sewer pipe located about six metres underground,” it said.
IWK added that safety barriers had been installed around the affected area to protect road users, while a traffic management plan had been put in place to ensure the repair work was carried out safely and in an orderly manner.
According to the statement, the repair work is expected to take about two to three weeks, depending on weather and site conditions.
IWK said it remained committed to ensuring that the repair work was carried out promptly and safely, while extending its full cooperation to the relevant authorities.
“Members of the public are advised to exercise caution and follow all safety instructions near the affected area,” the statement added.
The sinkhole, which formed on the road in front of a bank in Bandar Perda and went viral on social media, is believed to have been caused by a leak in IWK’s sewerage system.
MBSP Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid reportedly said a complaint about the incident was received at about 2.30 pm, after which immediate action was taken to install barriers and warning tape at the site to ensure road users’ safety.
He said preliminary investigations by MBSP indicated that the incident was likely caused by a leak in an IWK sewerage system in the area. The matter had been referred to IWK for further investigation to determine the exact cause and carry out the necessary repairs.