MIRI – A Chinese New Year already made bleak for 6,000 residents of the Sibu Jaya flats by a lockdown that began today is made even worse by dry taps.
The two-week enhanced movement control order was imposed after some 250 residents tested positive for Covid-19.
Edgar Frederick said he and his neighbours have run out of water for drinking and cooking purposes.
“Our taps have run dry. We cannot bathe, either.”
Another resident, Noriani Karim, said the authorities should send water tankers.
“The flats are full of people due to the CNY holiday.
“This is why water usage has gone up.
“The water tanks on top of the flats are empty, and our taps have run dry.”
Many residents have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, and are appealing for help from the state Disaster Management Committee, state Housing and Local Government Ministry, and state public utility authorities.
Health teams have been deployed to the flats to conduct virus screening, while police and the army are controlling residents’ movements.
Barbed wire has also been installed in the area.
Sibu district is the worst hit by Covid-19 in Sarawak, and classified as a red zone.
The district has lost some 30 lives to the virus and recorded about 3,000 infections since late December last year. – The Vibes, February 12, 2021
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