KUALA LUMPUR : In a renewed pledge, the search for the Indian national who remains missing after falling into a sinkhole at Jalan Masjid India will continue and be further intensified.
Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said the decision was made following a meeting between Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, the police, Fire and Rescue Department, and other agencies to discuss developments on the search and rescue (SAR) efforts.
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“Agencies involved in the operation briefed the minister on efforts that have been taken to find the victim.
“It was then decided by the minister that the search for the missing victim will continue. Rescuers are in high spirits to move on with the search.
“Let us pray she will be found,” he told a press conference at the scene.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said debris and foreign matters obstructing the underground sewer lines remain a hindrance to the operation.
He said this was based on findings following the deployment of two water cylinders each at two different locations of the sewer line – from the sinkhole and a manhole at Wisma Yakin to ascertain whether flow was obstructed or otherwise.
He said the cylinders never arrived at the Indah Water sewerage plant in Pantai Dalam.
Nor Hisham said rescuers also used special cameras to obtain a view of the sewer lines after diverting part of the water flow, adding that officials believed there was a backlog from obstructions in the sewer line between the sink hole and Wisma Yakin.
He said that images showed the debris comprised large objects and kitchen waste such as bottles and solidified oils.
Asked if there were any indication of the presence of the victim in the area such as stench from a decomposed body, he said rescuers were unable to tell as the odour emanating from the sewer chambers were extremely strong.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy visited the site to enquire on developments in the SAR operation.
Reddy, who arrived with another embassy official at about 3.50pm, spent about 10 minutes at the site and was briefed by Dang Wang Deputy OCDP Supt Nuzulan Mohd Din on the operations.
Personnel from the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) were present at the site and were spotted using ground penetrating radar equipment to scan the area for clues.
Yesterday marked a week since the 48-year-old victim, known as Vijayalaksmi, was swallowed into the sinkhole and remains untraceable despite dogged SAR efforts by the authorities.
The Indian national was walking on a pavement with her family when she fell and disappeared into the sinkhole on Aug 23.
Exasperated rescuers have searched about 7km of underground sewer lines which lead to the Indah Water sewerage plant in Pantai Dalam.
