SIBU, Aug 23: Most parts of the town are experiencing either low water pressure or no water at all due to the logjam.
These water problems started at around 7am today.
Shipping executive Albert Tay said his sister’s fastfood outlet at Jalan Keranji is having low water pressure.
“She told me that the low water pressure poses an inconvenience to her especially when she has to do a lot of washing,” said Tay.
His other sister who is staying in a flat, is experiencing dry taps and has been unable to do any necessary washing.
A coffee shop operator at Jalan Chiew Siik Hiong is also experiencing low water pressure.
According to Sibu Water Board, due to floating timber debris from the upper reaches of Batang Baleh, it is unable to carry out raw water extraction and both its treatment plants can only run at minimum capacity, thereby affecting water supply to the whole of Sibu area.
“We regret to inform that due drifting timber debris from the upper reaches of Baleh, we are unable to carry out raw water extraction and both our treatment plants can only run at minimum capacity, thus affecting the supply to the whole of Sibu area,”it said.
The board assured residents that it will try to restore supply to full capacity as soon as possible.
The logjam started in the upper reaches of Batang Balleh and passed by Kapit between 8.30pm to 11pm on Saturday (Aug 21).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing claimed that the logjam was caused by timber concessionaires who operate along the headwaters of Batang Baleh with devastating environmental impact.
He called on the government to stop renewing timber licences allowing companies to operate along the upper reaches of Batang Balleh.
This is not the first time Sarawak has experienced a logjam, with the first taking place in 2010. — DayakDaily
