LONG BEMANG, Baram: The rising water level in Baram for more than a week now is a blessing in disguise for some, especially a group of housewives in Long Bemang in the middle of Baram.
Using a traditional method called ‘nyikep’, the women would wade through the water in the low-lying areas of their longhouse with fish trap to catch ‘masik juk’ (fish fry), which resemble anchovies.
A housewife who declined to be identified said it was a common activity for them.
She said they taste nice and crunchy when deep fried.
Watching the activities, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau reminded them to take precautionary measures by not venturing too close to the river bank as they could be swept away by strong current.
He also reminded them not to stay in the water for too long to avoid contacting diseases spread by water, and advised them to monitor their children and not to allow them to play and swim in the flood.
He also said although the flood was slowly receding the water level was still high. “This is an unusual phenomenon. It is hard to predict. Please be alert of the changes around you and be ready to evacuate to higher ground if it continues to rain.
“Bring all important documents when evacuating,” he reminded the villagers.