KUCHING, Oct 7 2026: The Sarawak government is strengthening its preparedness to face the El Nino phenomenon which is expected to persist until February 2027, with a focus on water supply management as well as fire and haze risks.

Caption: Assistant director Sahamran Ibrahim (left) being interviewed by Ukas reporter 

Assistant director of operations and disaster management at the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) Sahamran Ibrahim said prolonged hot and dry conditions could cause depletion of water resources, besides increasing the risk of forest and peatland fires as well as open burning.

He said Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is monitoring the situation based on reports from technical agencies to enable early action to be taken.

He said disaster command centres at the district, divisional and state levels have also been activated, including the Sarawak Disaster Command Centre which operates around the clock to monitor conditions on the ground and coordinate the response of relevant agencies.

“SDMC has also stepped up awareness at the district level.

"We have activated the disaster command centres at the district level, followed by the divisional level, and subsequently at the state level through the Sarawak Disaster Command Centre which operates 24 hours a day,” he said when appearing as a guest on the Juh Randau talk show produced by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) at the UKAS Studio today.

Sahamran added that monitoring is also being carried out to identify areas facing water shortages, with assistance coordinated with relevant agencies including the deployment of water tankers and the distribution of bottled water.

He said the Sarawak Government together with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) is also conducting cloud-seeding operations to help increase water levels at water treatment plants and major dams.

"SDMC in collaboration with NADMA is conducting cloud-seeding operations. The main focus is to ensure sufficient water levels at our water treatment plants and major dams,” he explained.

He reminded the public to avoid open burning especially during the hot and dry weather to reduce the risk of fires and haze.