Papar district declared drought disaster area
KOTA KINABALU: Papar district has been declared a drought disaster area, the district disaster management committee (JPBD) announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, it said the declaration was made on Wednesday based on reports and information obtained in the area.
Papar JPBD has taken action to address the water supply issues in the district, including scheduling water distribution to residents using water tankers from the Sabah State Water Department (JANS), the Beaufort District Council, and the Fire and Rescue Department, it added.
It said JANS will prioritise hospitals, places of worship, homes for the elderly and schools, while the Papar District Council will prioritise residential areas.
The Papar parliamentary office, meanwhile, will supply water to rural areas.
Papar JPBD chairman Mohd Fuad Abdullah, who is also Papar district officer, urged residents to remain calm and understand that the declaration is for a drought disaster and not an emergency.
He said the declaration, made in accordance with existing regulations, is necessary to ensure prompt and effective measures are taken to assist the affected residents.
“Papar JPBD will ensure that water supply is delivered using water tankers to residents in need,” he said, while also urging those affected to contact the committee for further assistance.
State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong said the Sabah Water Department had shut down the Papar water treatment plant.
Villagers from 10 villages in Tamparuli have also called for the activation of the Tuaran district disaster management centre as their gravity water source has dried up.
Safar said that the state government had requested the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to carry out cloud seeding operations at water catchments around the state.
Last week, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shaelmey Yahya, who is state Works Minister, said there was enough water at all the dams for another three months, except in Sebatik which has dried up.
Sabah is experiencing the El Nino phenomenon until the end of March.
Firemen are also busy putting out bush and jungle fires in several districts.
Papar JPBD will ensure that water supply is delivered using water tankers to residents in need.
Mohd Fuad Abdullah