KUALA LUMPUR: An Indian national who fell into a sinkhole near Masjid India is believed to have been swept away by strong underground current.
City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the search and rescue (SAR) operation for the 48-year-old woman requires careful planning as it involves public infrastructure.
He said various factors need to be considered, including the underground gas conditions, thus every action taken must be strategic and well-planned to ensure safety.
"I was informed that there is a strong water flow reaching the end over there (the road), and we've covered (searched) until the end, but we haven't found anything.
"We are now (conducting the SAR) in stages and holding discussions with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and the relevant agencies regarding the (infrastructure) plan because we can't act recklessly.
"I was told that if we close off (the pipes or drains), it might cause flooding in the area," he told reporters at the scene today.
He added that based on witness testimony, the victim is believed to have been swept away by the strong current as she disappeared from sight immediately after falling into the sinkhole.
Rusdi said the initial SAR operation focused on the location where the victim fell. She is now believed to have been swept away following the discovery of the underground water flow.
He added that the victim and her family members had been touring Malaysia for almost two months and were planning to fly back to India tomorrow.
"We have provided an officer who speaks Tamil, and we are updating them (the family) from time to time. We will inform the embassy to extend their visas.
"We need to extend it until the victim is found, so (the family) needs to stay here," he said.
Rusdi said any road closures or premises operations would depend on the recommendations of the relevant agencies and experts in the field.
He said a similar land subsidence had occurred near the spot before, but the damage had been repaired by the authorities.
"This is an isolated case, and we have never had (an incident) like this in this area or any other area (in Kuala Lumpur).
"I believe that with the cooperation of all parties, we will be able to find the victim, and we pray for her safety," he said.
Meanwhile, the SAR operation continued using an excavator despite heavy rain at the location as of 5.30pm.