Sarawak denies low reservoir levels in Miri as drought and wildfires spread across multiple districts in northern region
MIRI: The authority responsible for Sarawak’s treated water supply has officially refuted claims that reservoirs are reaching critical levels or that water rationing is imminent in the northern region, despite the area grappling with a severe drought and a surge in wildfires.
In a statement issued today, Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd urged the public to ignore “viral” messages circulating on social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
The authority clarified that reports suggesting the Sungai Liku reservoir is drying up are entirely unfounded.
“Our technical teams on the ground report that water levels remain normal, and there is an adequate supply for the residents,” the statement confirmed, seeking to allay fears of a water shortage during the current dry spell.
While the water supply remains secure, the districts of Miri and Kuala Baram enter their fourth consecutive week of battling serious forest and peatland fires.
Firefighters from stations in Miri, Lutong and Lopeng have been working around the clock to contain numerous hotspots.
Current ground reports indicate scattered fires, each covering two to three acres, across populated zones including Kuala Baram, Kampung Batu Satu and Tudan.
In response to the escalating situation, the Miri fire station announced that aerial water-bombing operations would soon be deployed to extinguish the most stubborn blazes, particularly those burning deep within peatlands.
The wildfire crisis in Sarawak escalated significantly in late March, with massive forest fires initially reported in three districts.
The blazes have since spread to 11 districts, causing substantial environmental damage. The worst-affected areas include, Miri, Kuala Baram, Tatau, Sibu, Bintulu and Mukah.
In Tatau, a single forest fire razed approximately 750 acres of land in the Kuala Tatau-Serupai locality, burning relentlessly for 11 days.
Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai described the situation in Tatau as a warning of how quickly fires can spiral out of control.
He slammed individuals who continue to use fire for land clearing or to dispose of agricultural waste during this high-risk period.
The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has launched an investigation into the possibility that human negligence or deliberate action triggered several of the major blazes.
Northern Sarawak remains particularly vulnerable to annual fires and the resulting haze, with Miri consistently being one of the most severely impacted areas in the state.
