Kampung bukit kechik: The prolonged dry season over the past few months has caused the water level of Sungai Anak Muring in Kampung Bukit Kechik here to drop significantly, affecting the daily lives of residents.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, recent checks found that the river's water level had fallen by about three metres, exposing much of the riverbed and narrowing its flow. Bukit Kechik Neighbourhood Watch chairman Md Noor Hasan, 66, stated that the situation has had a direct impact on villagers, who have long depended on the river as their main route and source of livelihood. He mentioned that the river was previously used as a transport route via boats and small vessels, but is now no longer navigable due to the shallow water.

Md Noor Hasan explained, "River fishermen can no longer cast nets or fish as some areas are nearly dry and the water flow is only about a foot wide." A resident, Ismail Junoh, 71, noted that the drought has also affected agricultural activities, which are the main source of income for villagers. He highlighted that the dwindling river water supply has made it difficult to consistently irrigate crops such as vegetables and small farms.

Ismail Junoh further explained that fishing activities, which previously provided a supplementary food source, have also been affected as fish stocks are declining. He added that catches have dropped significantly compared to before due to the increasingly shallow river conditions.