KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Two weeks ago, a tourist from India, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, fell into the sinkhole that formed on Jalan Masjid India and has remained missing since.
A Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was activated the same day involving members from various security forces and local authorities but their efforts have been futile to date with no signs of Vijaya’s remains.
Below are the key dates in the Masjid India sinkhole incident:
August 23
The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to an emergency call at 8.22am where Vijaya reportedly fell into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole that appeared in front of the Wisma Melayu building.
Vijaya’s footwear was discovered floating near the excavated area.
August 24
Rescue operations were focused on six sewer manholes around the location of the sinkhole along the sewer line that ends at the Indah Water Konsortium Pantai Dalam treatment plant.
Police advised traders to shut their businesses temporarily to avoid the risk of being exposed to potential toxic fumes emitted from the operation site.
Vijaya’s eldest son implored rescue personnel to rescue his mother who was in Malaysia for vacation.
August 25
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave his pledge that the search for Vijaya will continue.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif assured the situation around Jalan Masjid India and Kuala Lumpur remains under control and is safe for visitors.
August 26
Rescue personnel carried out the “flushing” technique at several manholes. The technique involves temporarily blocking the water flow to be later released once pressure is built up to flush away any debris or blockage in the sewage system.
A Singaporean waste management company offered its assistance without charge.
Indah Water also used a jetter (sewer jet machine) in the manhole path of the incident location to the manhole downstream over a distance of 69 metres.
August 27
A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or soil-penetrating radar belonging to the Malaysian Nuclear Agency was spotted onsite.
Search operations were focused on the area around the endpoint of the sewer — the Pantai Dalam sewage treatment plant.
August 28
The SAR team re-entered the pump station at the Indah Water Konsortium sewage plant in Pantai Dalam to search for the victim.
Another sinkhole appeared about 50 metres from the location of the first sinkhole incident.
Authorities restricted the entirety of Jalan Masjid India to all vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced that government will conduct an integrity audit on the entire utility system at Jalan Masjid India after the search and rescue operation for the victim of the sinkhole incident in the area is completed.
Vijaya’s son M. Suria, 25, who remains inconsolable, told Bernama that he has not shown the tattoo of his mother’s name that was imprinted on his left arm during his recent vacation in Thailand to her.
Representatives from Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) — Malaysia Hindu Sanggam and Hindu Darma Mamandram — performed religious rites at the scene of the sinkhole.
Self-styled “king of shamans” Raja Bomoh, also known as Ibrahim Mat Zin, visited the site to perform his own “special rites” as well.
August 29
Jalan Masjid India remained closed to vehicles.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said there was no need to declare Jalan Masjid India area as unsafe zone despite the sinkholes.
Fire and Rescue Department’s K9 units detected potential obstructions near the sinkhole.
Rising water levels and undercurrents halted the SAR divers’ progress from reaching the obstruction in the sinkhole in search for missing victim.
Out of respect for the victim, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) cancelled the 2024 Merdeka Eve celebrations scheduled to take place at Dataran Merdeka on August 30.
August 30
DBKL said pictures circulating online of sunken tiles outside the House of Ariani near Jalan Masjid India was minor and likely a result of pipe repairs Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) performed previously in the area.
The SAR team focused on efforts to clear a “backlog” or 15-metre blockage detected in the sewer lines below Wisma Yakin, approximately 44 metres from the sinkhole.
Rescuers determined that it was too risky to continue using diving methods in the SAR operation following several risk factors, including strong underground water currents, limited space for rescuers and the presence of debris and hard blockages in the search area.
August 31
A telescopic camera — combining the technology found in push rod and crawler cameras — was brought in to assist in the SAR operation.
Meanwhile, Fire Dept personnel entered the IWK pump station in Pantai Dalam twice in search of the victim.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced the decision to call off the SAR operation for Vijaya.
Nevertheless, Dr Zaliha said efforts to locate the woman would still continue despite the termination of the SAR operation, but would enter a new stage and come under different agencies.
Both the Indian Embassy and Vijaya’s next-of-kin were informed of the decision.
