SDMC to meet soon to address hot, dry weather issues

KUCHING (July 27): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will be calling for a meeting soon to address issues on the current hot and dry weather, says its chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Deputy Premier said the meeting will decide on the instructions to be given to the various divisional and district-level committees on their respective preparations for the situation.

“During this hot and dry season, there are places in the state prone to bushfire outbreaks. Similarly, there are longhouses and villages that will face shortage of water for drinking and daily usages.

“The divisional and district-level committees are to hold their respective meetings to address these issues and in particular, the water shortage,” he said when met by reporters after closing a ‘Baju Dabong’ (Baju Kebaya) embroidery course for 20 participants from the Bukit Saban constituency in Betong today.

Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, said the divisional and district-level disaster management committees are expected to provide feedback to the SDMC.

He said the SDMC is well aware of the reports over the bushfire outbreaks in Kuala Baram, Miri and the situation on the ground.

According to him, the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee has its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure efforts are always in place to monitor the situation.

He said the committee is using drones to do aerial monitoring and engaging the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnels for the lookout.

“Any outbreak must be dealt with immediately,” he added.

That aside, Uggah also advised the community against conducting any open burning, which he cautioned could lead to a fire outbreak.

“This is more so in those areas that are prone to such occurrences,” he said.