‘Extreme’ climate change: simultaneous floods, forest fires prompts call for local authorities to act

EXTREME weather changes are being clearly seen in Sarawak where the southern region is still facing strong floods while the northern is being hit by wildfires.

Sarawak deputy premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the unusual weather conditions are causing heavy rain and fires in the state, a phenomenon that usually takes place in July or August.

"All these are worrying signs that Sarawak is facing climate changes," he said after visiting Ramadan bazaars in Kuching.

Dr Sim, who is also state minister for housing, public health and local councils, said local authorities can do more in helping to conserve the environment and climate by cutting down on usage of plastics.

"We must not only look at recycling plastic but also use biodegradable plastic materials,” he said. "This is to reduce the big amount of plastic wastes being generated.”

Southern Sarawak was badly hit by floods last week and the week before, while forests in the northern region were affected by spreading flames.

On February 27, The Vibes reported that 35 cases of wildfires were recorded in northern Sarawak over just a week.

Bushfires, peat fires, forest fires and fires in dumpsites made up the bulk of these hotspots, according to statistics from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department.

Miri district saw the biggest number of these fires with at least 12 hotspots detected.

The department said firefighters have gone to the ground to fight these fires.

Total flooding and direct dousing from water sources were used.

Aerial water bombing was conducted in Kuala Lawas where a big fire had ravaged more than a dozen acres.

On February 23, about 12 acres of land, roughly the size of about 12 football fields, got burned near a village called Kg Banting there.

The Fire and Rescue Department’s Miri headquarters had to deploy a helicopter equipped with water bombing facility to carry out aerial water bombings to reach deeper areas that were inaccessible on land.

With the weather also becoming hotter and drier, people are worried that open burning of agriculture wastes in plantations will cause even more air pollution.

Northern Sarawak is notorious for the annual fires and haze, with Miri district being one of the worst hit areas. – The Vibes, March 14, 2024