MERSING, Jan 15 — The authorities have closed a section of the Jalan Jemaluang-Mersing following the collapse of a part of the road here early this morning.
The cave-in, at KM16 of the trunk road, occurred at about 2.30am today.
Half of the double lane road, located on a hill-slope, was believed to have collapsed due to the continuous rainfall for the past several days in the district.
The collapsed road resulted in a 70-metres sinkhole which was 15-metres deep.
Mersing police chief Superintendent Cyril Edward Nuing said police closed off the affected stretch to all forms of vehicles after an inspection by the Mersing Public Works Department (PWD) showed that the road posed a risk to motorists.
“For safety reasons, Jalan Jemaluang which connects Mersing and Johor Baru is temporary closed off to traffic.
Earlier, Cyril said a car driven by a 60-year-old man slid down the collapsed road resulting in his vehicle plunging into the sink hole.
“However, the driver and his passengers escaped unhurt and were taken to the Mersing Hospital for observation,” he said.
Mersing PWD personnel have been deployed to the scene where they have erected signage to inform motorists of the road closure.
The district PWD is currently monitoring the situation and motorists have been advised to use Jalan Nitar-Jemaluang as an alternative route to reach Mersing town.
