Sarawak prepares for croc attacks
The state government will be watching for possible migration of crocodiles downriver should rivers overflow during the coming monsoon season.
KUCHING: All relevant departments in Sarawak have been placed on alert for the possible migration of crocodiles downriver as a result of heavy rain brought about by the monsoon season, says Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas.
“I think we should respond through each department’s DOR (division of responsibility). This is a new phenomenon,” Douglas said after being briefed by the Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee at the Kuching barrage yesterday.
“Ten years ago this question never arose. Now it’s not only humans who have increased in number, but crocodiles as well. This is a relevant issue that we must pay attention to, otherwise we will not be able to deal with the situation when it happens,” said Douglas, who is chairman of the committee.
Last month, the state government said it would permit the culling of crocodiles in 10 rivers in Sarawak to control its population, which has risen to 12,000 in 45 rivers in the state this year.
Starting next year, the Sarawak Forestry Department will issue permits to allow the hunting, killing, as well as trading and exporting of crocodiles in 10 rivers in the state. They are the Sadong, Tuang, Batang Kerian, Seblak, Linga, Sebuyau, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Batang Baram and Bakong rivers.
The rivers average eight to 14 crocodiles for every kilometre, according to its director Sapuan Ahmad. Up to 27 people have been killed in 52 crocodile attacks since 2010, according to figures by the department.
Meanwhile Douglas said up to 17,800 government personnel from various departments, including the Civil Defence Force and the army, have prepared for the ‘King-Tide’ expected between December 13 and 18, where tides may rise to as high as 6.4 metres.
Sarawak Meteorological Department Director Wong Teck Kiong, who was also at the briefing yesterday, said that heavy rains were also expected next week.
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“The chances of rain are there because we are going to experience the monsoon season around that time. We will give more details as the time comes, but we expect a normal monsoon season this year. Normal meaning more rain, and we still have floods,” Wong said.