KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has ordered water supplies to be distributed to 58,080 heads of household (KIR), including in 355 villages in 12 districts state-wide affected by the prolonged drought.

A sum of RM7.5 million was allocated by the state government to carry out the exercise in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), he said.

"The state Water Department and the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) are distributing water to the affected residents."

The districts severely affected by the lack of water are Tongod, Tuaran, Papar, Keningau, Semporna, Kota Belud, Tenom, Pitas, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kudat and Tawau.

"The water treatment plant in the catchment area is drying up due to the drought since mid-February 2024 and more areas will be affected if the situation continues," he said at the aid presentation ceremony to the Fire and Rescue Department at Menara Kinabalu here today.

State Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Razak Muda received the contribution from Hajiji.

The Chief Minister said the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) has recommended cloud seeding operations in areas affected by hot and dry weather on March 28 to 30.

"The cloud seeding operation will be based on the forecast of a cloud atmosphere that is suitable to produce rain if cloud seeding is carried out."

The cost will be fully borne by Nadma while MET Malaysia has agreed to provide human resources and technical assistance.

He said the Royal Malaysian Air Force based in Labuan would provide logistical support in collaboration with the Home Affairs and Research Office of the Chief Minister's Department.

"We hope that the cloud seeding operation will go smoothly and produce rain in the affected areas in Sabah."

Hajiji said the state government also allocated RM267,444 to the Fire and Rescue Department for their use in purchasing additional equipment to extinguish forest and bush fires in affected areas in the state.

The equipment includes 27 portable pumps, 75 motorised bilge pumps and 906 units of fire extinguishers and fire extinguishers.

As of March 26, a total of 1,392 cases of forest and bush fires were reported, which destroyed an area of 3800ha throughout the state.

Of this amount, about 3.4ha at the Kayu Madang landfill site have yet to be fully contained.

"Until now, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has deployed 319 firefighters throughout Sabah."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1031193/sabah-govt-allocates-rm75-million-help-12-districts-affected-drought