He said the measure would ensure water could be restored as soon as possible to the island’s Southwest district and parts of Seberang Perai South. About 120,000 households are affected.

However, Chow said water supply would be cut again for those in the district on Jan 30, to allow a diversion of the problematic riverbed pipe.

“We are expediting two fixes. One is a quick fix by way of clamping the leaking portion in the river.

“The other fix is already ongoing, which is to quickly divert the pipe above ground by Jan 30,” he told reporters at the Penang Hindu Endowments Board office here.

Yesterday, the Sungai Perai riverbed pipe gave way for the fourth time since December.

Chow said if all goes according to plan, the affected consumers would have water flowing by 8am on Jan 26, and see a brief water cut five days later on Jan 30.

The water cut on Jan 30 is necessary so that a new S-bend pipe can be installed to divert the water supply above ground.

Chow said if the diversion works are successful, all users can expect water supply to be back on by Jan 31.

Yesterday, motorists on the Ampang Jajar bridge saw water gushing from the leaking Sungai Perai riverbed pipe.

This time, there was a 1.05m by 0.65m leak on the pipe, Chow said.