A villager of Kampung Pendam villager, Sadong Jaya, filling up pails with water from a lorry. According to him, this is fist time their get water from water tanker since the water crisis since early last month. ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
KUCHING: Water supply authorities in Sarawak have activated action plans to mitigate the impact of the current dry season, which is forecast to last until August.
State Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Kuching Water Board, Sibu Water Board and Laku Management Sdn Bhd had been placed on alert to monitor water sources and water supply facilities in drought-affected areas.
“Several areas throughout Sarawak may experience water supply issues such as low water pressure with the onset of the hot and dry spell.
“In addition, several water treatment plants may be affected by insufficient raw water and could reach a critical stage, such as Melugu and Pantu water treatment plants (WTP) in Sri Aman and Penibong WTP in Mukah if there is still no rain in the coming weeks,” he said yesterday.
Julaihi urged community leaders and consumers to immediately report to their respective water authorities should they encounter very low water pressure or no water supply, so that immediate action could be taken.
He said water tankers were on standby to be mobilised to areas without water supply in the event of prolonged dry weather, while water collection centres would be set up at strategic locations.
“We are very concerned about water problems during the dry spell affecting consumers.
“The matter is also now taken up by the Sarawak disaster management committee,” he added.
To report issues or seek assistance, consumers can contact JBALB at 082-262 211, Kuching Water Board (082-222 222), Sibu Water Board (013-810 6311) and Laku Management at 085-426 626 (Miri), 086-318 160 (Bintulu) and 085-215 644 (Limbang).
