Withering heights till August

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Meteorogical Dept: Weather in state to get drier from May to July with southwest monsoon

KUCHING: The state government is on standby mode for the dry season setting in — the driest period expected to be from May to July.

A spokesman from state Meteorological Department said April would not be the driest month as within it, there would still be occasional torrential showers that would moderate the temperature.

“It will get even drier in May until July. We are experiencing dry season because of the south-west monsoon. Only by August will the rains start to return,” the spokesman told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Welfare, Family and Women Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the Welfare Department had been on standby mode as over the years it had learnt that after sending off the rainy season, it would have to brace for the dry spell that followed.

“We have records of drought-prone areas which include firstly, areas which depend on rainwater for water source and secondly, areas having piped water but suffering from low water pressure.

“Now, any time we receive a distress call, we inform the Public Works Department to dispatch water if the area is accessible by road. For areas inaccessible by road, bottled water will be sent in. Of course, bottled water is only for cooking and consumption – not for bathing,” Fatimah said.

Oya is already suffering from low water pressure, with its residents having to collect water at night for use on the following day. The low water pressure has been caused by fast-paced development outstripping high water demand in Mukah. Oya is at the tail-end of that water supply.

Fatimah said a bigger treatment plant to supply water to Oya is under construction, only to be completed by next year. Therefore, Oya may suffer another year of water shortage this coming dry season before the problem is permanently solved from next year onwards.

“Sarawak has been suffering from water shortage due to development brought by agricultural activities, industrialisation and population increase where water supply fails to keep up with development. There is also the problem of waste disposal,” Fatimah said.

Public Health Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, when contacted, advised the public to be aware of diseases that might break out during the dry season.

Presently, there has been an increase in upper respiratory cases such as flu and fever as well as hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) but Dr Jerip especially warned of leptospirosis and infectious diseases such as gastro-enteritis.

“Areas depending on gravity feed system may be drying up due to lack of rain. That may drive some villagers to get water from unclean sources such as rivers which may be contaminated,” said Dr Jerip.

He called on villagers in drought-prone areas to be more careful in sourcing water for drinking, cooking or bathing during the dry season.

“And do not throw your rubbish in rivers or discharge waste in rivers. Those living downstream may be affected as they may be forced to use the water,” Dr Jerip advised.