IWK identifies displaced pipe joint as cause of Bandar Perda sinkhole

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A displaced pipe joint caused a pipe to break, resulting in a sinkhole in Bandar Perda yesterday, according to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK).

IWK said the cause of the displacement had yet to be determined and excavation work was needed to establish the exact cause.

"For now, we have barricaded the sinkhole area while awaiting a quotation from the contractor.

"We will submit the quotation to the relevant authorities for approval before allowing the contractor to proceed with the repair works," it said.

IWK said repairs would involve constructing a pit at an estimated depth of five to six metres, using nine-metre sheet piles.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work to resolve the issue at the site," it said.

The sinkhole formed outside a Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branch in Bandar Perda yesterday afternoon, prompting the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to install safety barriers and tape.

MBSP mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the council received a report of the road subsidence at 2.30pm and immediately took steps to safeguard road users.

"Initial investigations indicate the incident may have been caused by a leak in the sewerage system operated by IWK," he said when contacted last night.