A side view of the partially submerged gangway at Kapit Wharf along Khoo Peng Loong Road.
SIBU: Incessant downpours and high water caused three pontoons at Kapit Wharf along Khoo Peng Loong Road here to take in water and go under on Monday.
Two of the gangways leading to the pontoons were also partially submerged due to the high tide.
Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) assistant controller (Region Two) Christopher Chan said efforts to refloat these pontoons will be carried out when the weather improves and the tide is low.
He said express boat operations were not affected as the downstream pontoons were still operational, and there was no threat to safety.
For the record, there are six pontoons at the Kapit Wharf. Express boats plying the downriver routes, namely Passin, Daro, Igan and Pulau Bruit, are berthed at the wharf here.
“Only the three upstream pontoons are affected, while the other three are still operational. I have instructed my men to ensure that the operation is smooth. The passenger volume is not heavy during this time of the year as it is off holiday period.
“Express boats can berth at Burung Apu Wharf (located just beside Kapit Wharf) during high tide.
“We (SRB) will refloat the pontoons when the weather permits and the tide is low,” Chan told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He said if need be, SRB will move the operations to Burung Arang Wharf, located just a stone’s throw from Kapit Wharf.
“As it is now, the operations are running as usual,” he pointed out.
Asked to shed light on the causes for the pontoons to submerge, he said the pontoons were aging and had been exposed to continuous wear and tear over the years.
He pointed out that the pontoons had cracks through which water seeped in, causing them to go under water.
At the same time, Chan disclosed that the board together with Public Works Department (JKR) will be looking into a long-term solution to tackle the problem.
Meanwhile, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sibu divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong said the water level in Sibu had reached the alert level due to the incessant heavy rain and water released through the spillway of Bakun Dam.
“The water released through the spillway of Bakun Dam on Feb 27 has reached Sibu and folk in the low-lying areas are advised to be vigilant.
“The total discharge (through the spillway of Bakun Dam) was about 2,870 cubic metres per second,” Ting said.