What are Malaysian Sinkholes?

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Malaysian sinkholes, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and infrastructure issues, pose significant risks, prompting urgent safety assessments and preventive measures, here are some things to know.

1

Incident Overview

A 48-year-old Indian tourist, Vijayaletchumy, remains missing after falling into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on August 23, 2024.

2

Causes of the Sinkholes

Experts suggest that heavy rainfall,  soil erosion and  potential underground pipe leaks may have contributed to  the formation of the sinkhole.

3

Infrastructure and Geological Concern

Especially the ageing underground utility networks in the Masjid India area, which might have played a role in the sinkhole's formation.

4

Risk of Future Malaysian

Experts warn that the first sinkhole may have caused additional damage to underground service pipes, potentially leading to more incidents.

5

Kuala Lumpur's Safety

A task force has been established to assess the safety of the area, involving multiple city  departments and  geological experts.

6

Comparison with Singapore

Singapore's bedrock and modern engineering practices reduce the risk of sinkholes caused by natural factors.

7

Preventative Measures

Kuala Lumpur using advanced technology, regular inspections of utility pipes for leaks and employing smart technology.