119 Water Tankers Mobilized in Sarawak as El Niño Dry Spell Expected to Persist Until 2027

KUCHING, Aug 30 — A total of 119 water tankers have been mobilized across Sarawak to mitigate the severe impacts of an ongoing prolonged dry spell driven by El Niño conditions, which is expected to persist until April 2027.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT) announced that cross-divisional assistance and additional tanker support from partner agencies are actively being coordinated to optimize deployment. Priority is being given to affected rural areas managed by the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) that depend heavily on small rivers for raw water intake.

To ensure uninterrupted access to clean water, authorities have identified centralized water collection points at strategic hotspots across the state. MUT confirmed that nine collection centers have already been established in Sri Aman, while 13 additional locations have been identified in Betong, with JBALB continuously evaluating ground conditions to establish further centers wherever necessary.

“Centralised water collection centres have also been identified at potential hotspots across Sarawak. To date, nine centres have been established in Sri Aman with 13 more locations identified in Betong,” the ministry stated, noting that JBALB will continue to assess conditions on the ground.

Despite declining raw water levels at several local river intakes, MUT reassured the public that major water supply reservoirs—specifically the Bengoh, Gerugu, Assyakirin, and Sika dams—are currently maintaining normal operational water levels. Authorities have nonetheless urged local communities to practice prudent water usage and immediately report any supply disruptions through local community leaders or by contacting the JBALB call center at 082-262111 or the Sarawak Water helpline at 082-222333.

–NMT