IWK Conducts Excavation Works After Sinkhole Incident In Sungai Ara

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 10 (Bernama) — Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) is conducting excavation and soil protection works along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim in Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas, following a sinkhole incident on Nov 4.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the excavation, expected to reach a depth of eight metres, aims to determine whether a leaking IWK pipe caused underground water movement that led to the sinkhole.

“So far, the excavation has reached six metres. As a precaution, IWK has temporarily shut down operations of the sewer pipeline along the road and diverted the flow to nearby pipes to ensure safety and maintain the sewer system’s operation in the area. Our main focus now is to identify the source of the leak,” he told Bernama today.

He said IWK has requested the Barat Daya Public Works Department to extend the road closure until Nov 18 due to unpredictable weather, which has delayed on-site work.

Zairil urged road users and residents to remain patient and cautious during this period, assuring that mitigation measures have been taken to prevent further ground movement and expansion of the sinkhole.

“The surrounding area is safe following these preventive steps,” he added.

Earlier, reports stated that the sinkhole, located in front of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Ara, was believed to have been caused by a leaking pipe that led to underground water seepage.

The incident, which occurred near a road junction, went viral on social media, raising public concern over safety risks in the area.

The sinkhole measured five metres long, 3.5 metres wide, and 1.9 metres deep.

— BERNAMA

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