A metal pipe in Osaka's Kita Ward that protruded 13 meters above ground sank to 1.6 meters by Thursday morning after water was pumped out. The city is considering cutting the remaining section. Road closures have caused significant traffic congestion.
In Osaka's Kita Ward along National Route 423, a 27-meter-long, 3.6-meter-diameter metal pipe protruded about 13 meters above ground on Wednesday, March 11. After water was pumped out, the pipe gradually sank, leaving only 1.6 meters above ground by Thursday morning, March 12.
The city is considering cutting off the remaining protruding section. The site has seen closures of approximately 600 meters north-south on National Route 423 and about 2 kilometers north-south on the elevated Shin-Midosuji Street above it, to confirm ground stability.
Early Thursday, the city began injecting agents to solidify the surrounding ground. Verifying ground stability and the safety of bridge piers is expected to take several days, with no timeline yet for reopening the closed sections.
The head of the city's sewer department apologized for the disruptions caused by the road closures, which led to major traffic congestion.
