Sarawak water authorities on standby for drought eventuality

KUCHING: The Sarawak water authorities are on standby to activate drought contingency plans in the event of droughts occurring, especially along the coastal areas, with the onset of the dry season.

The state Ministry of Utilities, said the water authorities would also liaise closely with the residents and the Sarawak Welfare Department when the need arises to deliver water to the affected areas.

“The Ministry Of Utilities will ensure all the water supply authorities are committed to ensuring that any water supply disruption caused by drought will be attended to promptly. Water tankers will be used to deliver water to affected areas as an immediate relief measure during such occurrences,” it said.

The ministry said it was also imperative that all water consumers must play their roles to conserve water.

Currently, the water supply situation for the Kuching area is normal and with the completion of the Bengoh Dam, the impounded reservoir has enough storage volume to tide over a drought of more than three months.

In Sibu, the Sibu Water Board is monitoring the movement of the river salinity front of the Batang Rajang closely with the sea water limit still being kept at safe distances from the Salim and Bukit Lima raw water intake points.

For Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri and Limbang areas under LAKU Management, the capacities of the raw water sources and the water treatment works are still within the normal operating ranges.

For areas under the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), it would continue to closely monitor the water supply situation under their jurisdiction. — Bernama