By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 29: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will convene a meeting within the next two days to monitor the current hot and dry weather conditions, with a key focus on addressing water scarcity issues across the State, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Sarawak is on high alert as the prolonged dry spell poses a heightened risk of haze and open burning, with unhealthy air quality already recorded in Mukah, which hit an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 154.
“All Divisional and District Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to step up their preparedness, as this situation tends to recur almost every year.
“It appears that more and more hotspots are being detected in our areas,” he told reporters when met after officiating the Borneo International Integrity Summit (BIIS) 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today (July 29).
Uggah, who chairs SDMC, said immediate response and monitoring efforts have begun in Mukah following the air quality report.
To help control peatland fires, especially in areas like Kuala Baram in Miri, drones are being deployed to detect smoke early before fires can spread widely.
He also urged Resident and District Offices to monitor villages that may face water supply issues and to prepare for field deployment if necessary.
“This can sometimes become a serious issue, and we must ensure that our teams are ready on the ground,” he emphasised.
He said the Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) is working with the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to address potential shortages.
Uggah further advised the public to refrain from open burning and to take health precautions if the API reaches unhealthy levels.
He also called for cooperation from all quarters to help prevent open burning and ensure the situation remains under control. — DayakDaily
