SABAH has ordered the immediate supply of water to close to 58,080 households in 12 drought-hit districts and has allocated RM7.5 million for the distribution.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in announcing this said 355 villages in Sabah are currently facing water shortage problems, involving locations in Tongod, Tuaran, Papar, Keningau, Semporna, Kota Belud, Tenom, Pitas, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kudat, and Tawau districts.
"The state government will work with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). The state water department and the District Disaster Control Operation Centres (PKOB) are currently busy distributing water to the affected households.
"Our water catchment areas are running dry due to the extended drought since the middle of February and more areas will be affected if the present situation continues," he said after handing over aid to the Fire and Rescue Department at the state administrative building, Menara Kinabalu, today.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the agencies are all set to carry out the cloud seeding programme and are currently on the lookout for the right cloud formation before deployment.
"The cost of the cloud seeding operations will be covered by NADMA while the Malaysian Meteorological Department has agreed to provide the manpower and technical support," he said.
At the same time, Hajiji said the Royal Malaysian Airforce will provide logistical support along with the cooperation of the State Domestic Affairs and Research under the Chief Minister's Department.
Hajiji said the state also gave RM267,444 to the Fire and Rescue Department to purchase 27 mobile pumps and other fire extinguishing gear.
"Sabah has recorded a total of 1,392 forest and bushfires, while a land area of 9,392 acres was destroyed in the disasters.
"This includes the Kayu Madang landfill where firefighters are still struggling to douse off fires over the last two days," he said.
A total of 319 fire and rescue department personnel have been deployed statewide to deal with the wildlife incidents. – The Vibes, March 27, 2024
