KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — The search team, while looking for an Indian national who fell into a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India, has detected a 15m backlog from the sewer chamber at Wisma Yakin, approximately 44m from the incident site.
Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, stated that the blockage was identified after two water drum release tests were conducted on the first and second days at both the sinkhole site and Wisma Yakin.
“Observations at each sewer chamber and the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) sewage treatment plant revealed the drums we released from ground zero did not emerge.
“As a result, at midnight yesterday, we executed two approaches: first, we closed off part of the drainage, and second, we redirected some of the incoming flow to lower the water level in the sewer line,” he said during a press conference at the scene.
Also present was Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman.
Nor Hisham explained the team deployed high-capacity pumps to extract the water. By 4am today, the water level in the 1.5m sewer pipe lowered to 0.8m, allowing the insertion of a camera.
“After examining the camera’s movement range, we believe there is an obstruction in the pipe approximately 7.6m from the sewer line at Wisma Yakin, which is causing a 15m debris backlog,” he added.
He said the search team started clearing the obstruction in the sewer pipe at 5pm today, removing it bit by bit.
Nor Hisham expressed confidence that if this backlog can be cleared, the entire surface inside the sewer pipe would be visible, allowing divers from the Northern Region JBPM Academy to carry out their search for the victim.
However, he cautioned that the greatest risk facing the divers is being swept away by strong currents if the backlog—composed of cooking oil bottles, tyres, frozen oil, and hair clumps—is successfully cleared.
“The water flow beyond Wisma Yakin is extremely fast…our biggest concern and risk is the backlog. Based on our assessment, if the backlog is released, it could create a pressure of up to 100 cubic metres, posing a significant threat to the divers.
“Tonight, we will repeat last night’s procedure. Once the water level is reduced, we will use high-pressure jets from IWK. Only if the conditions are safe will the divers proceed, and further steps will be taken,” he said.
He added that every diver is equipped with a full scuba set to mitigate risks, including exposure to toxic gases.
Meanwhile, Sulizmie assured the search for the victim will continue, a decision reached after discussions between the search team and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa earlier this evening.
“The rescue team was called by the minister for a joint discussion on the direction of the search. The agencies involved provided a briefing on all measures taken to locate the victim, and she agreed to continue the search,” he said.
He also reiterated his warning to the public to stay away from the site to prevent untoward incidents.
— Bernama
