KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — A section of Mayang Pasir Highway in Bayan Baru, Penang, will remain closed until October 31 to allow road repairs following a sinkhole incident yesterday.

The Penang Public Works Department (JKR) advised motorists to use alternative routes and plan their journeys to avoid inconvenience during the closure.

The department said the closure was necessary to facilitate repairs to the road structure following the sinkhole.

Motorists can use alternative routes via Lebuh Mayang Pasir and Jalan Mahsuri, or through Lorong Mayang Pasir 5, Lebuh Mayang Pasir 2 and Lorong Mayang Pasir 1, Harian Metro reported.

Motorists in the affected area were urged to cooperate during the closure.

The sinkhole was noticed by a road user at about 3.10pm yesterday, according to media reports.

Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol said the water-filled sinkhole had formed near residents’ homes.

He said, based on the Public Works Department’s inspection at the site, the incident was believed to have been caused by a leak in a pipe belonging to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK).