By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, Sept 11: The Sarawak government seeks to continue cloud seeding operations to replenish water levels in storage dams amid the prolonged dry spell.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the State government had discussed with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) the possibility of continuing the operations as soon as possible and conducting them more frequently.
“For cloud seeding, we have discussed with Nadma to have such activity as soon as possible and as frequently as possible, particularly with hotter weather anticipated in October,” said Uggah, who is also chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
He said this to reporters after officiating at the N19 Mambong Election Machinery Workshop at Biperoh Hall, Jalan Borneo Heights, here today.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development also said several areas in Betong and Serian, as well as Padawan the interior areas of Miri that rely on gravity-fed water systems, were facing acute water shortages due to the prolonged dry spell.
According to him, the welfare department is undertaking the distribution of bottled water to all affected areas, with the process coordinated by the respective Residents’ offices after receiving complaints.
On the issue raised by Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil during his speech that several villages in Padawan still depend on gravity-fed water systems, Uggah said he would meet with the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to highlight the matter. — DayakDaily
