As climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and deforestation accelerates water loss, Sarawak faces an urgent question: Can we secure our water future before it’s too late?
Sarawak’s water crisis: A reality check
As the world observes World Water Day annually on March 22, Sarawak faces a growing crisis — ensuring a stable water supply in an increasingly unpredictable climate. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and deforestation are placing immense pressure on the state’s water resources.
In urban areas like Kuching and Miri, the risk of water rationing is becoming a real concern. In 2022, The Borneo Post reported that Miri residents endured prolonged water cuts, with some waking up in the early hours just to collect water. Others were forced to rely on neighbours with storage tanks or purchase bottled water.
“It’s frustrating and exhausting,” one resident expressed, describing how daily life came to a standstill without a reliable water supply.
In rural areas, where many communities still depend on rainwater harvesting and rivers, prolonged dry spells are making everyday survival increasingly difficult.
The question no longer lies if Sarawak will face a water crisis — but when? Are we prepared for what’s coming?
Climate change, water scarcity in Sarawak
Research from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) confirms that climate change is already reshaping Sarawak’s water cycle.
A 2009 study, Impact of Climate Change and Its Variability on the Rainfall Pattern in Sarawak River Basin, reveals that wet seasons are becoming shorter, while dry spells are lasting longer, making water management increasingly challenging.
Rising temperatures further exacerbate the issue by accelerating evaporation rates in reservoirs and rivers, reducing available water even when rainfall does occur.
Deforestation is another major factor worsening the crisis. The large-scale clearing of forests — especially near key water catchment areas — has diminished the land’s ability to absorb and retain water.
Instead of gradually releasing water into rivers and groundwater systems, rainfall now runs off too quickly, leading to flash floods in some areas and severe shortages in others.
A separate study by Bong and Richard (2020), Drought and Climate Change Assessment Using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for Sarawak River Basin, found that droughts in Sarawak have become both more frequent and prolonged over the past few decades.
This research highlights the severity of past droughts, particularly in 1998 and 2014, when water shortages disrupted agriculture and left many struggling to access clean water. These were not isolated events but part of a worrying trend linked to climate change.
Without urgent action, Sarawak could face even harsher droughts in the years to come, placing both communities and livelihoods at significant risk.
Water scarcity: A present reality
Water shortages are no longer a distant threat — they are happening now.
In urban centres, demand is already outpacing supply, and if rainfall continues to decline, regular water rationing could become inevitable.
Meanwhile, in rural areas, many villages still rely on rainwater collection and river sources that are becoming less dependable due to prolonged dry seasons, forcing some communities to purchase costly bottled water.
While certain regions grapple with drought, others face the opposite issue — coastal flooding. Rising sea levels are leading to saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater supplies in low-lying coastal areas.
A study, A Marriage Between Hard and Soft Approaches Against Sea Level Rise, predicts that this problem will intensify, further straining Sarawak’s water security.
The uneven distribution of water — too little in some areas, too much in others — is a direct consequence of climate change. Without intervention, these challenges will only escalate.
Securing our water future
World Water Day is not just about recognising the challenges — it is about taking action.
Addressing Sarawak’s growing water crisis requires smarter management, sustainable resource exploration, conservation efforts, and community-driven initiatives.
One promising approach is AI-driven water management systems, which could optimise water distribution and usage.
UNIMAS researchers have explored innovative solutions such as repurposing urban spaces for water retention. A study, Hydrological Modelling and Evaluation of Detention Ponds Transformed from Roundabouts in Kota Samarahan, suggests converting roundabouts into detention ponds to store excess rainwater and reduce flooding.
Expanding such strategies could improve water storage during wet seasons and ensure reserves for drier months.
Beyond optimising existing water sources, exploring groundwater reserves could provide a critical backup during droughts.
Currently, most of Sarawak’s water comes from rivers and reservoirs, making supply highly dependent on rainfall. Sustainable groundwater extraction, supported by further research, could help reduce vulnerability to erratic weather patterns.
However, securing water availability is not just about finding new sources — it is also about protecting existing ones.
Deforestation has severely disrupted the natural water cycle, particularly in vital catchment areas. Without forests to absorb and slowly release rainfall, water either evaporates too quickly or floods low-lying regions.
Studies like Drought and Climate Change Assessment Using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for Sarawak River Basin emphasise how environmental degradation worsens drought conditions. Strengthening conservation efforts and reforesting key areas would help stabilise water retention, reducing both drought and flood risks.
Beyond large-scale policies, local communities also play a crucial role in protecting Sarawak’s water supply. Encouraging rainwater harvesting, promoting efficient water usage, and increasing awareness about conservation can collectively reduce strain on existing resources.
Ensuring Sarawak’s water security requires both immediate action and long-term planning. With the right strategies in place, the state can navigate the challenges of climate change and prevent future generations from inheriting a worsening water crisis.
A wake-up call for Sarawak
Every World Water Day serves as a reminder that water is not an unlimited resource — it must be protected.
Sarawak’s changing climate is making its water supply increasingly fragile, and without proactive measures, the state could face a severe water crisis in the coming decades.
The evidence is clear: climate change is already reshaping Sarawak’s water landscape. The real question is: will we act now, or will we wait until the taps run dry?
World Water Day is not just about speeches and awareness campaigns — it is about real action. Governments, industries, and communities must work together to ensure that future generations do not inherit a water crisis.
Sarawak’s water security is not just the government’s responsibility — it is a responsibility shared by every Sarawakian.
The time to act is now. Will we rise to the challenge?
