DBKL said the search team needed to drill access points for additional suction pipes provided by Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd to keep water levels as low as possible.

It said three high-capacity electric pumps were used to lower the water level in the pipeline to 75cm.

“(This will) allow the SAR team to further examine the pipeline between the manholes at ground zero and Wisma Yakin,” it said in a statement.

The team had attempted to enter the sewage pipeline manually through both manholes but were prevented by the narrow passageway and the increased level of gas in the pipeline.

In the incident on Aug 23, a 48-year-old visitor from India, Vijayaletchumy, was walking down the street outside Malayan Mansion when the sinkhole suddenly opened up.

On Wednesday, another sinkhole opened up in front of Masjid India, likely due to heavy rain, but no casualties were reported.

Federal Territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said approvals for all new development projects in the capital city are on hold.

However, she said Kuala Lumpur is still safe, despite advising caution around areas affected by sinkholes.