A drought emergency has been declared in Sabah, prompting swift measures to address the dire situation. Authorities mobilized an army of trucks equipped with water tanks to supply the main town and dozens of villages with much-needed water. In response to the crisis, the government scrambled to restore the water supply to residents, whose access to safe drinking water lags behind the national average.
The crisis escalated following the shutdown of a critical facility along the Papar river in mid-February. The closure was necessitated by low river levels and seawater contamination, which infiltrated the raw water supply 13 kilometers upstream from the plant. This disruption has significantly impacted a district nearly twice the size of Singapore, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmey Yahya described the predicament as a "shortage," citing climate change and delays in water-related projects as contributing factors. The drought has highlighted longstanding issues within Sabah's "decrepit" water infrastructure, a problem that has been brewing for years according to previous news headlines.
Local authorities have taken decisive action by deploying trucks to deliver water to affected areas. However, the scale of the crisis has amplified calls for more sustainable solutions. The drought emergency underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and proactive measures to prevent future water shortages.
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