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KL sinkhole: Human activities, weather, soil erosion to blame

KUALA LUMPUR: The geotechnical report on the area where sinkholes appeared on Jalan Masjid India will be ready in three months, said the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.

The ministry, in a statement, said the report was being prepared by the Masjid India soil structure task force, which is led by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

"Investigations conducted by the relevant agencies found that the sinkhole incident was caused by several factors, namely, human activities, weather and underground soil erosion.

"The ministry, through the Minerals and Geoscience Department, has assisted in the ground investigation of the sinkhole incident in Masjid India area, which involved an Indian national," it said.

Another sinkhole emerged about 50m from the site a few days later.

The ministry said the department's investigation team used the Ground Penetration Radar device to gather geological strata and underground utility images for the authorities' overall rehabilitation process.

"Kuala Lumpur's bedrock (foundation) is made out of 30 per cent limestone and 70 per cent granite and metasedimentary rocks, namely the Kenny Hill Formation, Hawthornden Schist and Dinding Schist.

"Generally, Kuala Lumpur is a safe place to live.

"Enhancement of ground monitoring, maintenance, procedure and investigation, and covering underground structures would be able to determine and prevent possible sinkhole incidences."

It said the department was also improving Klang Valley's ground data comprising ten municipalities through the Greater Kuala Lumpur sub-surface geological map to complement existing information under the 3DKL modelling workflow.

It advised the public against trusting speculative information from irresponsible parties on Kuala Lumpur's soil safety and that people should instead verify information from agencies authorised to deal with geological disasters.

"Contact the Minerals and Geoscience Department or the relevant authorities for assistance with possible threats of geological disaster or to file a report.

"The public can obtain further information or submit complaints to the department at https://mygems.jmg.gov.my/apps/aduanbencana."

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