GEORGE TOWN, Nov 5 — A sinkhole appeared on Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas near here yesterday, prompting the temporary closure of the road.
Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Public Works Department (JKR) had been deployed to carry out emergency mitigation works at the site.
“This (mitigation) is for the safety of road users and no casualties have been reported,” he said in a Facebook post.
He advised motorists to exercise caution when passing through the area and to comply with the instructions of traffic personnel and workers on duty.
Zairil informed that the sinkhole that formed in front of Sekolah Menengah (SMK) Sungai Ara measures 5 meters (m) long x 3.5m wide with a diameter of 1.9m and that the Public Works Department had implemented immediate action, including the installation of a plastic barrier and a temporary road closure to divert traffic to Jalan Sungai Ara 1, Jalan Persiaran Relau, and Jalan Kedidi.
“JKR has also requested cooperation from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd to investigate their assets, while the actual cause still requires a detailed study,” he said in a statement last night. — Bernama
