KUCHING: Sarawak is currently facing hot and dry weather with several areas identified as hotspots, prompting immediate action to extinguish fires and reduce the risk of spreading to nearby areas.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, stated that currently, one hotspot has been detected in Kemuyang, Sibu, while another is in Penasu, Mukah.

According to him, a fire in Sebuyau has been successfully extinguished, while another fire incident was also reported to have occurred in Bintulu.

"This morning, firefighting teams will be sent via helicopter to carry out water bombing operations in Penasu and subsequently to Sibu.

"This water bombing operation is conducted in peatland areas because they are very challenging areas when fires occur.

"This is because even if we only see smoke coming out, the fire can actually spread to a wider area; when we can see flames appearing, it indicates that the burned area is very large.

"Therefore, our strategy is to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible," he said when met by reporters during the Aidilfitri Open House of Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, at his residence here on Sunday.

In relation to that, he advised the public to avoid open burning, especially during hot and dry weather, to prevent the risk of large fires.

In addition to the fire issue, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said that several areas in Sarawak are now beginning to face water supply problems, particularly in coastal areas, which is expected to spread to more villages in the interior if the dry weather continues over the next few days.

He stated that initial reports have been received from Betong, while several other areas are also being closely monitored to identify the extent of the impact of drinking water shortages on residents.

"Therefore, the Social Welfare Department is being mobilized to help overcome the water shortage problem because there are several areas that do not have drinking water supplies due to the very dry weather conditions.

"At this time, assistance is being mobilized and related facilities are being prepared to ensure that all difficulties experienced by the people can be reduced. We also hope all units and agencies will continue to work together to solve this problem for the sake of helping the people," he explained.

He added that the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) will assist in mobilising water delivery operations using tanker trucks to carry and move water supplies to areas experiencing drought.

Commenting on the possibility of implementing cloud seeding, Uggah said the step would only be considered as a last resort because it depends on the presence of suitable clouds. He noted that a decision on the matter would only be made if the situation truly required it.

Present at the open house were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Ministers for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Ibrahim Baki and Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, and other dignitaries. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Translator: Ryan Lim