KUCHING: The Sarawak Government, through the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), is continuing to strengthen its preparedness in facing the dry season following the monsoon transition phenomenon expected to persist until September this year.

Its Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the weather conditions are expected to cause declining water levels at water supply dams, water intake points and hydroelectric dams in several areas across Sarawak.

According to him, the situation could potentially affect the operations of water treatment plants, hydroelectric power generation as well as daily activities of residents who depend on river transportation.

“My ministry, through the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Sarawak Water and Sarawak Energy, is constantly monitoring the situation and taking proactive measures to ensure conditions remain under control.

“Among the efforts being implemented include close cooperation between my ministry and the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), including planning for cloud seeding operations as an early mitigation measure.

“This is an early mitigation step to address the effects of drought, including plans for cloud seeding operations,” he said.

He said this during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Monday.

Further elaborating, Dato Sri Julaihi said Sarawak’s electricity supply currently remains stable and sufficient due to its diverse and integrated energy generation system despite the state facing hot and dry weather conditions.

According to him, Sarawak Energy will continue ensuring the electricity distribution system remains in good condition through continuous monitoring, transformer upgrades where necessary and the provision of mobile generators in areas at risk of supply disruptions.

As for water supply, he said JBALB and Sarawak Water have prepared a total of 122 water tankers to deliver supply to drought-affected areas throughout Sarawak. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Uilson Ng