Fishing boats berthed at a jetty in Goebilt area in Kuching.
KUCHING: The state is bracing for inclement weather in the next few days following a warning of thunderstorms by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) yesterday.
When contacted, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said he had alerted all disaster operation centres throughout Sarawak to raise their readiness level.
“They must make sure all related agencies are on standby mode,” said Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Council (JPBN) chairman.
Thunderstorms over the waters off Selangor, Sarawak and Sabah particularly its west coast and Kudat occurred yesterday, according to the warning issued by the MMD through its website yesterday.
The department specifically advised shippers to be on the alert all the time due to incidences of strong wind and rough seas it classified as ‘second category’ warning.
MMD warned of strong winds up to 50 kmph and rough seas with wave height up to 3.5 metres which are dangerous to small boats.
“Strong north-easterly winds of 50-60 kmph with waves up to 4.5 metres are expected to occur over the waters off Condore, north of Reef North and north of Palawan until Sunday (Jan 14),” it added.
The strong winds and rough seas are dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities including fishing and ferry services, it said.
The website also said heavy rain would be expected to occur over the states of Johor (Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Kota Tinggi, Johor Bahru and Kulai districts), Pahang (Maran, Rompin, Pekan and Kuantan districts) and Sarawak (divisions of Kuching, Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman, Samarahan and Serian) from Jan 10 until Jan 12.
Intermittent rain started early yesterday morning and from an observation by The Borneo Post there is no sign that the rainy days would stop soon.
Concerned netizens joined in to viral an apparently leaked circular by MMD to one of the government district agencies in Kluang for the past three days.
A quick check on the fishing industry here yesterday indicated that small fishing boats were berthed at the jetties.
“For my area (of jurisdiction) of Muara Tebas and Goebilt, I can say that no fishermen went out to see today (yesterday) due to the warning we got on inclement weather and rough seas,” said PNK Sri Muara general manager Kartini Bujang.
PNK stands for Area Fishermen Association.
“None of them dares to go out to sea as they would not take the risk. However, constant supply of frozen fish is still steady. These fishes include Kembung, Cencaru, Tongkol and Selar. Their prices range from RM8 to RM14 per kilogramme,” she said.
She, however, hoped that fishermen would be able to resume their activities at sea as their catches would determine steady supply of fish in Kuching.
“Apart from fish I would also like to see them catch Payak Merah, Payak Bukuk and Ambal in Muara Tebas,” she added.
PNK Buntal general manager Anita Idris said: “So far fishermen in my area (Buntal) did not go out to see due to the rough sea. Price of fresh fish has gone up but only a little bit due to relatively low supply but it’s nothing for the public to worry about. However, people can still buy frozen fish,” said Anita.
“Fish marketed by Panesa (a state association of fishermen) might be cheaper – under RM10 per kilogramme,” she pointed out.
Anita said fishes still preferred by retailers are Gelama, Siakap, Ikan Panjang and Umpak.