Kota
Marudu District Disaster Panel Activated
Thursday, 19 August 2004
(Source: Bernama)
KOTA MARUDU: The Kota Marudu district disaster
committee was activated today to monitor and implement short-term
relief measures as this northern district of Sabah again
braces for another round of water shortage.
The current woes
have the potential of becoming severe if it does not rain
in the coming weeks.
Minister in the
Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili who
is Kota Marudu Member of Parliament said that water level
at both plants in the districts was at critical level.
"Both pump
stations are operating at 50 per cent capacity because of
very low water level in Sungai Pangapuyan and Sungai Bandau,"
he said after chairing the district's development committee
meeting here, where they decided among other things, to
reactivate the district disaster relief committee.
Other decisions
reached was for the water supply for irrigation use be temporarily
suspended.
"Due to
this, the second padi crop for this year which is due to
start next month, will have to be rescheduled until the
rain comes and the water supply is back to normal,"
he said.
He advised the
people in the district to use water sparingly and adhere
to water rationing to be implemented.
The water department
would also place on standby the necessary relief measures
including supplying water by trucks to priority areas such
as hospital and clinics, schools and business areas in the
affected villages.
"Farmers
are also advised to stop open burning because it posed bush
fire threat," he said.
The committee
also requested for cooperation and understanding from affected
water users in the district.
Kota Marudu had
been facing prolonged water supply problem -- supply is
cut during heavy rain leading to floods and there would
be water shortage if dry spells go beyond three weeks.
Similar water
shortage hit the district last June.
Ongkili later
visited the Simpangan water intake cum treatment plant which
supplied water to households in the district.
