KOTA KINABALU: According to Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, the water supply available in Sabah dams can last for up to three months in the event of a prolonged drought. He mentioned that the Sabah State Water Department (JAS) would implement rationing and propose water conservation measures if drought conditions worsened. “I have held discussions with the JAS to address the problem of water supply in Sabah due to the hot weather currently hitting the country,” he said.
If the situation reaches a critical stage, Shahelmey stated that they may introduce alternatives such as cloud seeding. He shared this information with reporters after opening the state-level World Scout Day celebrations on Saturday (Feb 24). Shahelmey, who also serves as Sabah Works Minister, stated that JAS was currently rationing water due to problems in the distribution system in order to ensure that all users receive adequate water supply.
On Feb 23, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad mentioned that relevant departments and agencies must be prepared to carry out large-scale fire fighting and cloud seeding operations in view of the current hot and dry weather and the El Nino phenomenon. – Bernama
