MARUDI: The low water level at Baram river due to the absence of rainfall and dry weather for the past few weeks is taking its toll on river transportation.
The low water level at Marudi Express Terminal.
A ship berthed at the government pontoon in Marudi.
With the water level at only 2.2 metres yesterday, express boat operators found it had to navigate the river, especially the stretch from Long Ikang up to Long Lama Bazaar where they had to slow down.
Joseph, the captain of an express boat plying between here and Long Lama, said this had caused the journey to take about four hours instead of the usual three hours.
Compounding the problem, not many people wished to travel during the dry period, he said.
He related that when he reached Long Lama at 10am yesterday, he had to delay his journey back as there was no passenger yet.
If the dry weather persists without any rainfall, he fears that the water level will get lower and many boats would be stranded.
The dry weather does not only affect Baram river as water levels at Batang Tinjar and Tutoh Apoh basin are also low.