Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department personnel did their best during the nine-day search and rescue operation (SAR) to recover Indian national G Vijaya Lakshmi, but just couldn't make the crucial breakthrough.

The department’s deputy director Rozihan Anwar Mamat told the “Malaysia Hari Ini” television programme that his team had to consider various aspects, strategies, and tactics arranged for the SAR operation to ensure that the actions taken were not questioned.

“The rescue team also held detailed discussions every night before starting the operation the next day.

“The ‘golden time,’ which is within the first 24 hours of the operation, allowed us only two hours to maximise the SAR efforts from 2am to 4am.

“At 2am, the water level in the drain began to decrease, reaching its lowest point an hour later, and started rising again by 4am,” he revealed.

He acknowledged that intense media coverage added to the pressure to find Vijaya but that despite his team’s full dedication, they were not able to rescue her.

Dangerous conditions

On Aug 23, Vijaya, 48, went missing after falling into an 8m-deep sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India while on her way to a nearby temple.

SAR operations were carried out for nine days but were hampered by dangerous conditions.

The government yesterday decided to shift to a search and recovery mission.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the decision was made after considering expert opinions and the cabinet’s views.

“We consulted with experts before making this decision.

“After gathering input from the police, the Fire and Rescue Department, DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall), IWK (Indah Water Konsortium), our geological partners, and other agencies, we decided to conclude the SAR," she said.

After the announcement, Vijaya’s family members performed last rites at the site of the tragedy with Astro Awani reporting that her husband, son, and daughter were seen lighting oil lamps and ringing a bell as part of a Hindu ritual.

They were also seen taking a clump of earth from the site.

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