Huge debris in Rajang River may pose danger to boats

Land clearing, logging activities and heavy rain that caused widespread flooding, erosion and landslides might have caused

abnormally large amounts of driftwood and other vegetative debris to float down the Rajang River to Sibu, making the river innavigable since noon today.

Sarawak minister of environment Wong Soon Koh said an initial study done seemed to indicate such contributing factors.

"The Bakun dam which has even decided to postpone its impoundment exercise scheduled for this week because of heavy rain is not a cause factor," he told a press conference in Sibu.

Wong ( left ) said a combined team from the Natural Resource and Environment Board (NREB) and the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) was still studying the cause and source in various places in the interiors of Balleh, Kapit division.

"They are also monitoring the situation," he added.

Sibu folk were this afternoon shocked to see long stretches and huge volumes of wood debris floating on the Rajang river, the country's longest, and accumulating at some places.

The express boat service to Kanowit, Song and Kapit towns were either delayed or cancelled.

Wong said there had been exceptionally high rainfall in upstream Balleh and Balui river basins for the past few days.

"This has caused erosion of river banks and landslides as well as infrastructure including two steel bridges in logging areas to be washed away."

Wong said from the aerial surveillance this afternoon, some of the debris had flowed towards Igan River, Sarikei and eventually to the sea, about 60km  from Sibu.

"Although it is not as bad as what happened in Kapit and Song yesterday, the debris still pose a great danger to all boats," he said.

Wong said the SRB had meanwhile issued a reminder to residents staying along the banks of the Rajang River, boat owners and others concerned of the dangerous situation.

He said passenger boat operators must especially be careful or postpone their trips should the situation warrant it so as not to endanger the lives of their passengers.

- Bernama