Kitingan says he has called an urgent meeting to find out the extent of the drought in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will chair an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the dry spell on the people, water resources and food supplies in Sabah.
The Deputy Chief Minister I said the effects of the drought has begun to show, with levels in Sabah rivers going down between 10% and 40%.
Kitingan, who is also chairman of the state Water Resources Commission, said crops like padi had also been affected by the dry spell.
"So, I am calling for an urgent meeting tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) to discuss the situation," said Kitingan, who also serves as the state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister, after an event here on Friday (March 15).
"The effects (of the drought) can already be seen, albeit not at a serious level yet now, but I have asked all the departments and agencies under my ministry to provide the latest reports.
"We will know their feedback and suggestions (to remedy potential issues)," he added.
Kitingan said he was made to understand that cultivation like padi has been affected in areas like in the southwest Papar district as well as the interior Tambunan district.
This is especially so at farms or fields that depend on rivers nearby, he said.
To a question on state assistance to farmers, he said they will also discuss this matter in the meeting.
"That's why we want to have an assessment first. But for sure, if they were affected, then we will discuss the recommendation for assistance, including financial needs," he said.
