IPOH: An overturned tanker has caused a 5km traffic snarl near KM319 northbound of the North South Expressway near Tapah.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PLUS Trafik said the tanker had blocked off the emergency and left lanes at the stretch after an accident involving a trailer on Tuesday (Feb 6) at about 7.25am.

Tapah OCPD Superintendent Mohd Naim Asnawi said motorists who are heading north are advised to exit at the Tapah toll interchange.

"Use the federal route to head towards Kampar and re-enter the expressway at the Gopeng toll interchange. Southbound traffic is not affected and motorists can go on normally," he said.

Supt Mohd Naim later said the vehicle was removed at 4.15pm.

"The drivers of both vehicles sustained some light injuries. No arrests were made," he said.

According to Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations centre officer-in-charge Nashuha Fahd Ahmad Mijar, the tanker was carrying ammonium nitrate emulsion while the trailer was transporting screws and nuts.

"We roped in the hazardous materials unit from the Pasir Putih fire station here to ensure there was no chemical leak before moving the tanker," he said.