Due to the continuous decrement of Sg. Sibiew water level, the main water supply source for Bintulu, Tiong said instant measure of blocking the river by building a diversion bund was started since two day ago so as to decrease the unnecessary wasteful flow of water source.

However, he said the first bund failed to sustain the torrent where he hope the second bund which just completed this afternoon at 5:00 could be able to retain the river flow and increased the water level of the Sg. Sibiew river.

He said, it was proven the measure had been effective so far by increasing the water level from 2.6m that recorded this morning to 3.6m this evening.

Tiong also explained that since the Sg. Sibiew was the main water source of Sika Dam Reservoir here, thus efforts had been jointly contributed by all parties, including private, government and political bodies so as to maximize the pumping volume from river souce after a heavy rainfall from July 25 to July 26 morning.

He hope that more water to be conserved so that water can be still made available for everyone in case of drought prolongs.

He also expressed utmost appreciation to Malaysia Liquified Natural Gas (MLNG) and Asean Bintulu Fertilizer (ABF) that jointly contributed three pumps to increase the water source pumping rates of water reservoir here, adding that Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (SMDS) and LAKU also assist in the event by providing its manpower.

He also extent his utmost thanks to SESCO, JKR, Resident and District Office and Chang Chen Engineering here to jointly contribute to facilitate the pipe laying works.

Tiong also revealed that Datuk Celestine Ujang, minister for State Housing who is also the state assemblymen for N52 Kemena also expressed his deepest concern of the drought spell by calling him to update the information.

State Assemblymen for N53 Kidurong Michael Sim Khian Hui, together with members of SUPP Bintulu and SNAP Bintulu had also jointly inspected the progress of pipe laying works last night. 

                                * Water Restriction Continues *

Meanwhile, the area manager of LAKU Bintulu, Mr. Wong Tiong Kai explained that Bintulu water supply depends on Sg. Sibiew from where water is pumped to fill the Sika Dam Reservoir.

He said, when the reservoir is full the water level is 22.9m, however, due to the water level dropped to 20.65m on July 21, restriction of water supply was force to apply.

Although it rained from the night of last Wednesday till the following morning, he said the rain had not been able to increase the Sika Water Reservoir to a safe level of 21.5m.

Due to the rainfalls, he said the water level of the reservoir is only increased by 0.15m despite of four pumps were using in full blast.

Even the rainfall recorded in Bintulu town was very heavy, unfortunately it could not fill the reservoir to the safe level, he added.

After the rain, the water level of Sg. Sibiew rose to 4.8m at the highest level, but gradually dropped to 2.7m this moring.

He further revealed that  the reservoir level this morning was only 21.03m and is still at critical level.

As the authority do not know when will be the next heavy rainfall and since the Sg. Sibiew level is dropping, he said the authority have no other alternavtive but to continue with the restriction.

He stressed that the authority have no intention to prolong the water supply restriction nor bringing hardship to the value consumer.

However, he said the circumstances have forced the authority to continue with the restriction so that sufficient water can be made available for every one in case the drought spell prolongs.

He also wished to apologise for the inconvenience caused to consumers...END.