KUCHING, April 5: Residents along the state’s coastal and known drought-hit areas have been urged to conserve water, amidst reports of drier weather and lesser rainfall expected in the coming months.
The Ministry of Utilities said the relevant authorities have been alerted to be prepared in the event of a water crisis in several areas across the state.
“All of them have drought contingency plans in place, which will be activated for areas affected by drought.
“The water supply authorities will also liaise closely with the Residents’ Offices and Welfare Department when the need arises to deliver water to the affected areas,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry added that the water supply situation for Kuching area was still normal.
“With the completion of the Bengoh Dam, the impounded reservoir has enough storage volume to tide over a drought of more than three months.”
On the safety of Bengoh Dam, the Ministry said based on the findings of an independent third-party reviewer, the dam structure was sound and its overall stability was intact.
Remedial grouting works on the dam have been successfully carried out and were completed in September last year, it continued.
The Ministry reported that water supply in areas under the Sibu Water Board were not affected by drought related problems.
“The sea water limit in Batang Rajang is still kept at safe distances from the Salim and Bukit Lima raw water intake points. Sibu Water Board is monitoring the movement of the river salinity front closely.”
For Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri and Limbang areas under LAKU Management Sdn Bhd, the Ministry said the water supply situation was normal. The capacities of the raw water sources and the water treatment works are still within the normal operating ranges.
In areas under the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), the current water supply situation was under control and the water supply delivered to the consumers was adequate.
“JBALB will continue to closely monitor the water supply situation in the areas under their jurisdiction and where necessary activate their drought contingency plans,” it said.
The Ministry assured that all the water supply authorities were committed to ensuring that any water supply disruption caused by drought would be attended to promptly.
Water tankers will be used to deliver water to affected areas as an immediate relief measure during such occurrences, it said. — DayakDaily
