Sinkholes are in the news a lot recently after several major sinkhole incidents occurred in Asia. It first began on August 23 when a 48-year-old Indian tourist was sucked into an 8-metre deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. A second sinkhole appeared nearby during search efforts. The tourist remains missing. Following this incident, a sinkhole opened up in Seoul in South Korea on August 29, swallowing a car with an elderly couple inside who remain in critical condition. Meanwhile, a 7-metre-long sinkhole appeared in Douliu City in Taiwan on August 31. These incidents have caused concerns across Asia. Naturally, we wonder is Singapore at risk of sinkholes like these?
Is Singapore at risk of sinkholes?
We decided to investigate the potential risk of serious sinkholes like these appearing in Singapore. Fortunately, the Lion City is not particularly at risk of natural sinkholes compared with other regions in Asia.
Here’s why: the geology of Singapore consists primarily of solid bedrock, including Bukit Timah granite, which is less prone to dissolution and collapse compared with limestone formations found in places like Kuala Lumpur.
However, sinkholes have occurred due to man-made activities such as construction work and water movement in Singapore. Past incidents linked to these type of activities include a sinkhole on Farrer Road in 2022, the 2014 Upper Changi Road East sinkhole, the Keppel Road sinkhole in 2013 where a driver drove into it, and a 2-metre wide sinkhole on Clementi Road in 2013, where a motorcyclist fell in.
Although, there are measurements in place to prevent sinkholes in Singapore. These include strategies like monitoring systems during construction activities to track ground deformation and groundwater pressure, as well as smart technology to detect early stages of sinkholes, regular inspections, and strict safety assessments of projects before construction occurs.
Overall, there have been man-made sinkholes in Singapore but natural sinkholes like the ones in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul are uncommon.
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