CHUKAI, July 5 — The use of drone technology on the fourth day of the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation for victims involved in the Jeram Air Putih water surge tragedy, is assisting in locating two more victims who are still missing.
The operations commander of the Drone Unit from the Eastern Region Malaysian Fire and Rescue Academy, Mohd Taufiq Abd Satar, said monitoring using the high-capacity Matrice 210 drone was carried out in Sector B and Sector C today.
“We were given the duty to monitor these sectors that represent the last locations the public had seen a floating body yesterday.
“From here we will conduct periodic air monitoring and detection in strategic locations where SAR teams are finding it difficult to reach, such as under bridges or areas with many wooden obstacles,” he said when met on the banks of Sungai Seberang Tayor, earlier today.
The drone has a thermal imaging camera that is capable of identifying objects with heat effects, especially at night, in addition to being able to zoom in from a long distance.
“As ‘eyes in the sky’, the drone that is used has the capability of moving a distance of 10 kilometres (km) quickly. When we get information about the discovery of victims in this large area, we can move them immediately, thus saving time.
“At the same time, today’s operation has allowed us to deepen the aspect of the drone’s ability to provide services, especially to detect victims during the SAR,” Mohd Taufiq said.
Prior to this 10 individuals, nine of them hailing from Felda Lepar Hilir in Kuantan, Pahang, were reported to have come to camp at Jeram Air Putih on Saturday (July 2) before being swept away in the water surge incident.
The SAR operation to find the 10 victims began on Sunday (July 3) and so far eight bodies have been found.
The two other missing victims are Putri Nur Fatin Karim, 14, and Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24.
— Bernama
