Dry, hot spell to continue this week, says Meteorological Dept

SIBU: The current dry spell hitting the state represents the weak phase of the extreme El Niño phenomenon.

A spokesperson from state Meteorological Department said the situation here was not as bad as those experienced by some other countries – some of which recorded weather temperatures as high as 40°C.

“It is usual for Sarawak to have this dry spell during the southwest monsoon period that began in May. It is expected that the mercury would reach 34°C over the next few days. Currently, the temperature stays at 32°C,” the spokesperson said, adding that Sarawakians could expect some afternoon thunderstorms to wash down the blistering heat throughout this week.

“Despite that, the heat is expected to stay due to the seasonal monsoon – the people just have to bear with it.”

At the same time, the Fire and Rescue Department here continues to watch out for possible bushfires.

According to the department’s Sibu chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid, his men are on standby for any ventuality.

“Although it has been dry over the past two weeks, there has been no occurrence of bushfires.

“There were 18 recorded cases throughout the first five months of this year, but these were only minor fires.”

Abdul Mutalib explained that bushfires occurred due to unattended burning of garden waste, sparks caused by lit cigarettes as well as open burning of land in preparation for the new planting season.

He reminded members of the public members against unattended open burning.

He highlighted a case on Monday evening where a resident in Sungai Bidut was found burning a mountainful of unused tyres.

“The billowing smoke caused other villagers to worry. Firefighters and policemen rushed to the scene and put out the fire.