Heavy rain triggers fresh soap foam on KESAS, motorists mistake it for ‘snow’

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — A mysterious snowy appearance along the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) yesterday afternoon was actually soap foam caused by heavy rain dissolving residue from a spill that occurred more than a week ago. The odd sight stretched approximately 500 metres between Kilometre 30 and 30.5 on the Klang-bound-to-Kuala Lumpur side of the highway. This unexpected scene was first noticed around 3.10pm.

Assistant Commissioner Sarudin Samah of the Shah Alam district police explained that initial investigations pointed to the soap residue likely originating from a lorry that spilled its contents on August 24 near the Kota Kemuning slip road. Firefighters attempted to clean the spill by laying down sawdust, but heavy rain today reactivated the soap residue, turning it into foam along about 500 metres of the highway.

The highway operator subsequently conducted a second cleaning session, completing the task at 4.58pm today. The white-covered section of the road drew attention on social media, where motorists posted videos showing what appeared to be a snow-covered roadway. These videos displayed a white liquid coating the road surface, with visible tyre tracks from vehicles that had traversed the affected area.

The incident also raised concerns among road users, particularly motorcyclists, as reports emerged that the road had become slippery due to the soap foam.