Sarawak Welfare Dept has drought contingency plan for longhouses, villages, says state minister
KUCHING, April 26 — The Sarawak government, through the state Welfare Department, has set up forward base centres to provide water to longhouses and villages affected by the prolonged drought, state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said today.
She said the centres have the same functions and objectives as those that dealt with past floods in the state.
“If the water supply is cut off due to drought, then the delivery of water is fast because the location of the forward base is usually near the longhouses and villages with a history of water cuts as well as those areas that still depend on rainwater catchment,” she told reporters during her Hari Raya open house in Petra Jaya.
“So, if it doesn’t rain, then their water storage tank will dry up. With that, we need to send bottled water for drinking and cooking,” she stressed.
Fatimah said that those affected will be supplied with 12 bottles per person for a period of one week for drinking and cooking.
“We estimate that one person requires 12 bottles a week, and if the drought continues, then the supply of bottled water will be sent again.
“As for places that need water in tanks, which are usually in areas with tap water supply, the delivery of water in tanks will be made through the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB),” she said.
Among the guests spotted at Fatimah’s Hari Raya open house were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian who dropped by with their wives.
