MIRI: All relevant agencies in the division are stepping up preparations for the dry season, expected to occur from the middle of May until September, said minister in-charge of Miri Disaster Management Committee (MDMC) Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin.
“As part of our preventive measure, we will coordinate all agencies to conduct daily patrols including the usage of drones to prevent open burning activities and the haze,” he told the media on Tuesday after chairing a meeting at the Resident’s Office.
The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the Department of Environment (DOE) have been given the task to patrol using drones within the hot spot areas in Kuala Baram, Senadin and Permyjaya.
Lee who is also state Minister for Transport said, seven big landowners in Kuala Baram have also been briefed on the preparations made.
” They also getting ready, providing fire fighting team for any possibilities during the dry season…in fact one of the landowners even has drones ready,” he said.
“We are fully aware Miri is well known for pit fires whenever there is a dry season … last time we did water bombing and cloud seeding as part of our preventive measures to ensure bush fires are under control,” he said.
He added that a total 11 tube wells in the northern part of the city would be activated to help control bush fires within areas where fire easily occurs.
At the same time, Lee added, action plans to mitigate the impact of the dry season will be activated to monitor water sources and water facilities in drought-affected areas.
“LAKU and the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) will provide water tanks to drought-affected areas during the dry spell,” he said.
Also present during the meeting was Acting Resident Juan Ubit.
