What emotional toll did the Batang Kali landslide SAR take on rescuers?

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Emotional and Psychological Impact of the Batang Kali Landslide SAR Operation on Rescuers

The nine-day search and rescue (SAR) operation following the landslide tragedy at Father's Organic Farm in Gohtong Jaya had a profound emotional and psychological effect on the personnel involved. Beyond the immense physical exertion, the Hulu Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) head, Ahmadi Muhamad Hasan, noted that the team's emotional state was significantly challenged throughout the operation. The difficult conditions, including soft earth and persistent rain, further hampered movements and demanded considerable perseverance from the rescuers.
Challenges in Locating Victims

Ahmadi Muhamad Hasan described the immense difficulty faced by the rescue team in locating victims within the vast, approximately 15-acre search area. The soft earth and adverse weather conditions presented significant obstacles, often making progress slow and arduous. The emotional toll was particularly acute when the team failed to find any victims or new indications of their whereabouts, despite extensive efforts. This emotional strain was a constant factor for the personnel at ground zero.
Mental Support and Morale Boosting

To counter the emotional distress and maintain morale, rescuers were provided with mental therapy and words of encouragement. These interventions were crucial for sustaining their determination and enabling them to continue the painstaking search for victims. Despite the discovery of four family members on the seventh day of the operation, the SAR continued to face significant challenges in locating the remaining individuals.
The Significance of Finding Victims

The successful recovery of victims served as a powerful morale booster for the rescue team. Ahmadi Muhamad Hasan stated that finding a victim was the most effective "medicine" to alleviate their fatigue. This sentiment underscores the deep personal investment and emotional weight carried by the rescuers, for whom each successful recovery represented a crucial step in bringing closure to the affected families and concluding their demanding mission. The operation officially ended after the last body was found, concluding a period of intense physical and emotional exertion for all involved.

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What emotional toll did the Batang Kali landslide SAR take on rescuers?

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