KUALA LUMPUR: The search and rescue operation for the Indian tourist who plunged into a sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India here is now on its fourth day.
According to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall media unit, checks are ongoing by the Fire and Rescue Department at the Indah Water Konsoritium Pantai Dalam plant in search of Vijayaletchumy.
It said in a statement on Monday that IWK will be operating a jetter to break up debris in a manhole located about 69 metres downstream from the location of the incident.
"IWK has already implemented flushing at manhole five from late last night until 2 am today, but has yet to find any clues. To ensure seamless search efforts, the public is advised not to gather near the scene," it said.
Earlier this morning, rescue personnel were sighted climbing down one of the manholes some 50 metres from the sinkhole.
Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force personnel were also seen opening the manhole at about 9.30am today. Some were carrying ropes and other equipment before climbing into the manhole.
An Indah Water Konsortium truck was parked next to the manhole.
There has been no new lead to locate Vijayaletchumy, 48, who fell into the sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India on Friday. Rescuers only found a pair of slippers belonging to her near the location.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has been following the progress of the operation, indicated that the search for the victim would be continued.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman gave a similar assurance during a media conference yesterday evening. He said the SAR team did not place any deadline on the search efforts.
It was reported that the authorities are searching along a 7km sewage line, which can be assessed from six manholes, and one rescue personnel clad in full protective gear was sent in to avoid any danger posed by toxic gases from the sewer.
The six manholes are located in front of Wisma Yakin in Jalan Melayu, at the Jalan Melayu intersection, in Dataran Merdeka, near Bank Pertanian Lebuh Pasar and in Bulatan Kinabalu.