‘Water bombing' measure deployed to fight wildfires
Aerial water bombing by the Fire and Rescue Department Air Wing Unit was carried out and reduced hotspots to 75ha at noon.
Ashes from the blaze are causing widespread air pollution.
The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board said the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Mukah hit the 160 unhealthy mark yesterday morning, with the district enveloped in haze.
'The Mukah population have been advised to stop outdoor activities and use face masks at all times,' the board said, adding that firefighters have been deployed and are using aerial tactics to contain the wildfires.
The Fire and Rescue Department said it has deployed helicopters with water bombing capabilities to douse the Mukah fire.
'Our helicopters can carry out up to 15 aerial sorties. However, the fire is spreading closer to the Mukah Airport runway and into the Universiti Teknologi Mara Mukah campus, threatening the people there.
'Aerial water bombings are in full swing and our ground teams are trying to use total flooding methods.'
The Marudi district is also seeing an inferno raging in plantations, firefighters in Kota Samarahan in southern Sarawak are battling a landfill blaze and teams in Serian district are fighting another fire in Kampung Danau.
Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah said the state is on red alert for wildfires and haze, as well as water shortages in numerous interior districts caused by worsening drought.
On Wednesday, Bakelalan state assemblyman Baru Bian confirmed that thousands of people living in eight localities in his constituency along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border had run out of drinking water due to weeks of drought.
Bian is liaising with state government authorities to arrange emergency water supply delivery for his remote constituency.
Bakelalan constituency, which stretches from the Lawas district to the Kalimantan border, has a total population of about 50,000 people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Cloud seeding fails to lift dam levels, Kerian Irrigation still halted
IPOH: Irrigation supply to the Kerian Irrigation Scheme remains suspended as Bukit Merah Dam water levels stay at the cut-off point, despite heavy rainfall from a recent cloud seeding operation. State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the existing standard operating procedure (SOP) for irrigation from the dam's lake remains in effect, which sets the cut-off level at 20 feet (6.09 metres). "As of 8am today, the water level at the dam recorded an increase from 19.80 feet to 20.00 feet, and the dam's storage capacity also rose from 6.65 million cubic metres (12.2 per cent) to 7.25 million cubic metres (13.31 per cent)," Mohammad Nizar said in a statement today. "However, the dam's current status remains at the Irrigation Supply Cut-off Level as set in the existing SOP. "The increase in dam storage capacity helps somewhat to extend the availability of water for domestic use, but the supply for irrigation to the Kerian Irrigation Scheme still cannot be resumed," he added. The cloud-seeding operation, which was conducted around 12pm yesterday, led to effective rainfall in several catchment areas of the Bukit Merah Dam, with a noticeable increase in inflow at the Pondok Tanjung Station. The dam is located in Bagan Serai. The operation was led by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the Royal Malaysian Air Force, and other relevant agencies. Mohammad Nizar said the dam's catchment area has reached the irrigation cut-off level of 20.00 feet since July 22, and based on the dam's operational SOP, the water supply to paddy fields has been temporarily halted to prioritise raw water supply. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who joined the aerial operation alongside senior officials from Nadma and MetMalaysia, said the operation was triggered by severe water shortages affecting surrounding communities and agricultural zones.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Govt ramps up heatwave response
SHAH ALAM: The government has intensified emergency measures to address extreme heat and the prolonged dry weather, activating over 3,300 tube wells nationwide and conducting cloud seeding over drought-hit areas. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Fire and Rescue Department had been instructed to clean and operate the tube wells, especially in high-risk, fire-prone zones, as the Southwest Monsoon persists with lower rainfall and soaring temperatures. "These wells were prepared earlier and have now been readied for operations," Zahid said after overseeing a cloud-seeding operation at the Subang Air Force Base yesterday. "I've directed the fire department to carry out cleaning and fire prevention operations, particularly in areas prone to forest and peat fires when temperatures rise." Zahid, who chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, said fast operational response was being coordinated through the fire department and district-level disaster management committees. The monsoon season is expected to last until mid-October and authorities remain on high alert. Zahid said the government had successfully carried out a cloud-seeding mission over the critically low Bukit Merah Dam in Gunung Semanggol, Perak, where heavy rainfall was reported just 45 minutes after the operation. "The dam's water level had fallen to a critical 12.21 per cent, or 19.8 feet (6 metres), by July 31 due to prolonged dry conditions." He added that the dam was important for padi irrigation, domestic supply, fisheries and flood mitigation. He said the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had identified suitable cloud formations inland from the Strait of Malacca, prompting the deployment of a Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft. The aircraft released 6,000 litres of sodium chloride solution into the clouds, resulting in the desired rainfall. "This is a scientifically guided operation. With God's will, it brought the outcome we hoped for. We expect it will help ease pressure on local agriculture and water supply." Zahid also voiced concern over rising temperatures nationwide, highlighting that several areas, including Bandar Baharu in Kedah, Selama in Perak, Temerloh in Pahang, Limbang in Sarawak, and Tenom and Pitas in Sabah had recorded extreme heat for three consecutive days. MetMalaysia and the Drainage and Irrigation Department were monitoring other reservoir zones and potential hotspots for further intervention, he said. "Our focus is on areas critical for domestic, agricultural and industrial water needs. We will not wait for formal requests. Action will be taken when ground monitoring shows water levels have dropped below 30 per cent." Zahid said the Health Ministry would issue public advisories to limit heat exposure, especially for schoolchildren.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Over 3,300 tube wells activated in fire-prone areas amid dry season
SHAH ALAM: The government has activated more than 3,300 tube wells in fire-prone areas as a precautionary measure amid extreme heat and prolonged dry weather during the ongoing Southwest Monsoon. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Fire and Rescue Department has been instructed to clean and operate the wells where necessary, particularly in high-risk zones. "These wells were prepared earlier and have now been made operational. "I've directed the Fire and Rescue Department to carry out cleaning and fire prevention efforts, especially in areas prone to forest and peat fires during periods of high temperatures," he said at a press conference after attending a cloud seeding operation at the Subang Air Force Base. Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said swift operational responses have been coordinated through the department and local-level disaster management committees. The Southwest Monsoon, which has brought lower rainfall and higher temperatures, is expected to continue until mid-October, with authorities remaining on alert throughout the period. "Based on advice from Nadma and MetMalaysia, we are ensuring preparedness, particularly in areas experiencing extreme heat," Zahid said. He added that the Health Ministry will issue public health advisories to help minimise exposure to the heatwave. "Clear guidance should be provided to the public, especially regarding limiting outdoor activities. "This is particularly important for schoolchildren," he said, adding that coordination has been made with district education offices to reschedule outdoor school activities.
