3D geological model of KL being updated, says ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: The 3D geological model of Kuala Lumpur (3DKL) – a geological mapping system that will be able to provide data on soil erosion and landslides- is in the works.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said the data would span across areas in the Klang Valley that come under the jurisdictions of 10 local governments.

The ministry said the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) was improving and updating data on the Klang Valley’s geography.

“This project will be able to provide data and geological subsurface information to reduce the risk of geological disasters including soil erosion and landslides,” the ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 12.

“This data will be used to plan development, especially on stratum land,” it said.

Mapping areas at risk of landslides or those located on top of limestone are part of the mitigation measures taken by the JMG to prevent and mitigate potential disasters.

Aside from that, it will also conduct continuous remote sensing on soil movement, conduct comprehensive site investigation and ensure that the utility systems are efficient.

“Development and construction activities such as underground water pump, drilling, tunnels and mining have to be controlled to prevent disruption to underground water regime and tremors,” it said.

Following the Masjid India sinkhole incident, the JMG’s Technical Sectoral report revealed that there were limestone cavities at areas where land deformation was identified.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has used the report to conduct a detailed site investigation to obtain the profile of the land structure and come up with an appropriate mitigation action.

The ministry was responding to Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed(PN-Kuala Terengganu) on the ministry’s follow-up actions following the Masjid India sinkhole incident.

On Aug 23, G.Vijayalakshmi, a 48-year-old woman from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, went missing after falling into an 8m-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India.

Nine days later, after receiving expert advice, the government decided to terminate the SAR operation.