SIBU: Water pollution due to a logjam further up the Rejang River has provided a bounty of fish and prawns for residents of Panasu near Kanowit here today (Aug 23).

       A resident, who only wanted to be identified as Kenny, said the heavy siltation had affected oxygen levels in the river, forcing the fish and prawns to the surface to gulp for air.

       "When we saw fish and prawn floating in the brownish water, we quickly scooped them up. Some of us even used a water pail.

       "Each one of us took home between two to three kilograms of prawns and many catfish," he said.

       Kenny said this was their first such encounter and noted both fish and prawns were usually not so easy to catch in the river.

       "With the bountiful harvest today, we will all have a good meal today,"he said.

       Meanwhile, the whole of Sibu town was experiencing low water pressure.

       Sibu Water Board in a statement said this was due drifting timber debris from the upper reaches of Baleh which had affected raw water extraction.

       Both their water treatment plants were running at minimum capacity, thereby affecting the supply to Sibu.

       The board assured residents that they would try to restore the supply as soon as possible.

       The logjam started in the Upper reaches of Balleh and passed by Kapit along the Rejang River between 8.30pm to 11pm on Saturday (Aug 21).