Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is monitoring the current dry spell to ensure water supply shortages are addressed immediately, says Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
“At the moment, the State Water Department is comfortable with the water levels of Sabah’s various dams,” said Dr Gunsalam, who is also Public Works and Utilities Minister, told The Star.
He said the department is overseeing treated water supply from the State’s dams and will take appropriate action if the current dry spell worsens the situation.
However, he urged rural district authorities to monitor the situation in their respective areas.
“The district officers must monitor the situation closely to prepare for any possibilities,” he said.
Officials said the Babagon Dam in Penampang, operated by State-owned Jetaman Sdn Bhd, has enough water supply for the greater Kota Kinabalu area.
Other west coast dams include the Telibong reservoir in Tamparuli, which also supplies water to Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran.
Other reservoirs include Milau in Ranau district, Kogopon in Papar district and Sugut in Beluran district, operated by the State Water Department with a mix of private water concessionaires on the east coast.
Meteorologists forecast that the current transition from the Northeast Monsoon to the Southwest Monsoon will bring hotter and more unpredictable weather conditions.
Sabah was hit by severe flooding between mid-February and early March, followed by a dry spell beginning about two weeks ago.
On Monday (March 23), National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM) Sabah Chairman David Chan urged the State Government to take proactive measures for the current hot spell amid concerns over potential water shortages.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also reminded water supply companies in every state to remain prepared and address any shortages quickly.
He said the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, which he heads, is monitoring the situation closely following warnings of extreme heat in several areas, especially in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
