Uggah speaks at the press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting today. – Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (July 31): Water catchment levels across Sarawak remain stable for now despite the hot and dry weather conditions affecting the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the Sarawak government had received weather and fire risk briefings from various agencies, including the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Fire and Rescue Department, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and Welfare Department.

“At the moment, the water catchment levels are still okay. JBALB informed us that the situation is currently stable, but we have instructed them to closely monitor and report any developments to the government.

“They have set up a dedicated committee to oversee all water sources. One area of concern is the Gelugus Water Treatment Plant in Lawas, Limbang Division, which is currently recording very low levels,” Uggah told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting here today.

He revealed there have been 675 requests for drinking water supply across Sarawak involving 15,000 families, with the highest number in Miri.

“In the past, the state government had supplied 12 tankers to address such needs. Those tankers are now distributed across all divisions and are on standby,” he said.

As of this noon today, 220 hotspots have been detected throughout Sarawak.

However, Uggah said the situation remains under control, with only Mukah recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 160.

He said all Divisional Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to convene meetings and prepare response teams.

“We have directed all Resident’s offices to be ready and to establish standby teams to deal with any emergencies,” he said.

Uggah pointed out NREB revoked all open burning permits for plantations two weeks ago and has since prohibited all forms of open burning.