KL sinkhole: Repair may take 3 to 6 months, as victim’s family conduct religious rites before returning to India

KUALA LUMPUR: It could take around three to six months to repair the 8m-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India, as well as to facilitate reconstruction work around the area, Malaysian media reported on Sunday (Sep 1).
A day after authorities stopped search and rescue operations for missing Indian tourist Vijaya Lakshmi, Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif told the New Straits Times that members of the public should not enter the sinkhole site while repairs are being carried out “for everyone’s safety”.
The search for the Indian national was called off on Saturday, nine days after she fell into a sinkhole in front of Malayan Mansion on Aug 23.
Her family conducted a final prayer ceremony at Jalan Masjid India before heading home on Sunday afternoon, according to Malaysian broadcaster Astro Awani.
The 48-year-old’s husband, son and sister visited the sinkhole site to perform the Hindu rituals, lighting oil lamps and ringing bells.
They also took a clump of soil from the site before taking it away in a plastic bag.
Malaysia’s Cabinet is willing to consider compensation for the family, with Federal Territories Minister Zaliha Mustafa telling local media the matter is set to be discussed in a meeting on Wednesday.
Malaysian authorities switched to “recovery” efforts after it was deemed that rescue operations were too dangerous to continue.
“After considering all expert opinions … we have decided that we will stop search and rescue operations today,” said Dr Zaliha on Saturday, noting that this was for the “safety” of both rescuers and the surrounding area, citing a second sinkhole that had reappeared several metres away.
Rescuers had identified an “object” in the sewer pipes, but were unable to determine if that was the victim, she said, noting that conditions involving fast-moving water had made the operation dangerous.
“We cannot ignore public safety and the safety of tourists who walk along Jalan Masjid India. This is among the reasons why we stop search and rescue, but we will go into a situation of search and recovery,” Dr Zaliha added.
Jalan Masjid India, a street popular with tourists and which is home to several department stores and goldsmiths, had been closed while search and rescue operations were underway.
Some shops facing the sinkhole site reopened on Sunday, news agency Bernama said, although footfall was much lower than before the incident.
CNA reported last Tuesday that businesses at some shops had plunged by nearly 90 per cent, with residents worried about safety. 
However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ms Maimunah have said the capital remains safe. Mr Anwar added last Friday that a geotechnical study had established the cause of the incident and found that it was safe.
Experts have said that sinkholes could be caused by over-pumping of groundwater during underground construction work; broken pipes or sewers where leaking water can erode the soil beneath the surface; or mining activities where large voids may collapse.
In Kuala Lumpur, where limestone sits underneath the soil, water from rainfall can collect in cracks in the limestone and lead to erosion. As the limestone dissolves and is carried away, the cracks widen until the ground above becomes unstable and collapses.