Sungai Nenggiri drying up due to hot spell

Livelihoods at risk: Muhamad Fakhry walking along the receding bank of Sungai Nenggir. — Bernama

GUA MUSANG: Sungai Nenggiri here, which is the lifeline of villagers for farming, fishing and riverine transport, is drying up under the hot weather with mud, sandbanks and rocks starting to emerge.

Motorboat skipper Muhamad Fakhry Sharif, 27, said the river had been drying up since early last week.

According to Bernama, he said the situation required them to be extra careful since the receding watercourse posed a risk to navigation.

“Sungai Nenggiri has receded by more than two metres since the beginning of this week.

“We hope this hot weather will not last long so we can continue with our livelihoodr. Besides rubber-tapping and agriculture, many villagers turn to fishing to supplement their daily needs,” he said in Kampung Bertam Baru.

A 55-year-old outboard engine boat skipper, Shaari Mustapa, said some boatmen had stopped working for now because of navigation risks.

According to Shaari, who has over 40 years of experience operating boats, only skilled boatmen could continue to earn a living.

“I already know the ins and outs of the Sungai Nenggiri current most newcomers or outsiders will stop boating because of the many challenges in the river topography such as sandbars, wooden stumps and large rocks,” he said.

“Boat transport is the preferred choice for passengers to travel to Kampung Lulut or Kuala Sungai, which only takes about 15 minutes.”