HULU SELANGOR: Even with sniffer dogs and excavators, it’s a slow and laborious process for rescuers to dig through the rubble for the nine people still missing in the landslide at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali.
Now, they have additional help – Ground Penetrating Radars. These are equipment that can detect bodies buried deep in the ground.Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Norazam Khamis said the radar equipment was handed over to them by the Survey and Mapping Department and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“In addition to helping trace victims in the ground, these tools also help to measure the thickness of the landslide,” he told reporters at the scene yesterday.
He said that as of yesterday, eight excavators were also in operation at the site assigned to Sectors A (Hillview) and C (Riverside) for dredging and earth moving works.
“The excavation method is to move the preliminary soil, which is rubble soil with a depth of about 0.9m to 1.2m.
“After that, dredging will stop and further inspections will be carried out manually, including by the K9 Detection Dog Unit, to see if there is any sign of human remains.
“If there is no sign, we will continue the digging process slowly to prevent the (excavator) bucket from damaging any bodies that may be there,” he said adding that the search and rescue team was taking the utmost care when using heavy machinery.
Norazam said the process was also monitored by a member of the rescue team who would give guidance and instructions on how to excavate.
“We don’t want them (excavation team) to dig the soil as they do for land clearing works. It should be done slowly and lightly,” he said.
Later yesterday, Norazam said the rains had caused the soil to become soft, causing water flow at certain areas and bringing challenges to search and rescue operations.
He added that on the first day, eight victims were found by excavator dredging.
“We then found three more dug up by an excavator the next day while the remaining victims were found after their limbs were spotted in the soil. We also found a number of victims caught in debris,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hulu Selangor OCPD Supt Suffian Abdullah said seven vehicles were detected at the site.
“We have recorded the vehicle registration numbers and will check them to ascertain their ownership. This is so that we can identify the victims involved,” he said.
As of yesterday evening, personnel at the scene had yet to find any other victims.
