Right tools to locate missing victims but weather, terrain may be causing delays, say experts
The search and rescue (SAR) operations Batang Kali landslide area.
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Geologist Dr Azmi Hassan said rescuers used the right tolls but it is a large area to cover.
"It also covers a really thick muddy area,” he told Sinar Daily.
“With the terrain, the mud and the weather, we just have to wait and see whether the remaining victims can be recovered in the next few days,” Azmi stated.
He also said that the combination of Tracker Dog Unit (K9) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system, which is a real-time technique that uses high frequency radio waves, yielding data with very high resolution in a short amount of time.
“The animal and technology intelligence, I think that's the best combination so far," he added.
Geologist Dr Nisfariza Mohd Noor also agreed that GPR is the best method used to find the missing victims in the Batang Kali landslide.
She said, however, the weather and the terrain at the tragedy location can make the SAR operation harder.
“GPR is one of the best methods in detecting undersurfaces. But with rain and depth of soil cover, it may harden the process,” Nisfariza said.
Recently, eight of the K9 were ordered to take a rest due to signs of fatigue while locating the remaining landslide victims at the Father's Organic Farm.
Another body was found on the sixth day of the operation at a campsite near Father's Organic Farm, Jalan Genting, here today.
The remains of a man was found around 11.15am at Sector B (Riverside), bringing the total number victims who perished in the landslide tragedy to 26.
The search operation continues to recover the remaining seven missing victims.
A total of 94 victims were reported to be involved in the landslide which occurred on Dec 16.
Of the total, 61 were found safe, 26 died and seven are still missing.
