By DayakDaily Team
MUKAH, July 30: A water bombing operation is scheduled for later this afternoon as authorities intensify efforts to contain ongoing forest fires near Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Mukah.
The blaze, which has been burning since July 25, continues to pose significant challenges despite earlier attempts to control and extinguish it.
Aerial footage captured by the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak during helicopter surveillance revealed extensive areas engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
Bomba Sarawak has confirmed that a water bombing operation is currently underway to suppress the fire’s advance.
As of 3pm today, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Mukah has recorded an unhealthy level of 105, making it the only area in Sarawak to breach this threshold. Other regions in the State are reporting moderate API readings ranging between 62 and 88.
In response to the worsening situation, which threatens public health, safety, and air travel operations, the Mukah Divisional Disaster Management Committee has ramped up inter-agency coordination and emergency preparedness measures.
Particular focus has been placed on the fire-affected zones surrounding UiTM Mukah and Mukah Airport.
The committee is also in the process of formulating a more comprehensive mitigation strategy, which includes a key proposal to construct a large drainage system to serve as a firebreak for more effective early containment.
Mukah Division Resident Datu Kueh Lei Poh, who chaired a coordination meeting on Tuesday (July 29), has called on all technical agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance joint monitoring efforts and work in close collaboration to mobilise resources and prevent the fires from spreading to high-risk areas. — DayakDaily
