KUCHING: A damaged 600mm water main along Jalan Canna, linked to the Kuching Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project, has caused major water disruptions, forcing many businesses to scale down operations or temporarily close, resulting in significant financial losses. Food outlets, salons, and car washes were among the most affected, while residents across multiple areas also faced a full-day water outage.
The affected water main serves the entire Tabuan Jaya area, including key commercial zones such as TT3, Tabuan Jaya, Jalan Song, Stutong, and Saradise.
“For residents, the lack of water affects basic hygiene and daily household activities. Any disruption can have a significant impact on daily life,” said George Lam, DAPSY Kuching Chief.
Lam said the incident could have been avoided with proper verification of underground pipeline locations before excavation. He urged Sarawak Metro and project contractors to work closely with the Sarawak Water Board to ensure accurate pipeline mapping prior to any work.
Saying they it is not an isolation case, Lam called for strengthening supervision and adherence to safety protocols will help prevent similar occurrences and minimise inconvenience to the public.