MIRI: The present dry spell has forced Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to conduct water supply rationing in Beluru District, affecting some 2,000 longhouse residents.
JBALB Miri engineer Fadil Kawi said the rationing, which began yesterday, was unavoidable due to the low water pressure in areas across the district, especially Beluru Phase II.
“One of the causes of low water pressure is the prolonged drought, which has been
going on for several weeks, resulting in insufficient supply of raw water.
“The rationing of water supply will continue until further notice,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The exercise is divided into two areas – Rumah Lagan, Rumah Telajin, Rumah James Biri, Rumah Lani and Rumah Apin at Ladang Binu would have scheduled supply from Mondays to Wednesdays; Rumah Lua, Rumah Jantan, Rumah Sofia, Rumah Pengabang, Rumah Baran, Rumah Banyang, Rumah Isa, Rumah Henry Jawan, Rumah Lawang, Rumah Steward Kayong, Rumah Nuing, Rumah Liboh, Rumah James, Rumah Merenggai, Rumah Ali, Rumah Bangga, Rumah Bantan, Rumah Amit, Rumah Anthony Logan Manuk, Rumah Julau Sungai Kelabit Atas, Rumah Adin, Rumah Michael Bangat, Rumah Mathew, Rumah Linggi, Rumah Mamat, Rumah Rawing, Rumah Unggak, Rumah Ngumbang, Rumah Nugak, Rumah Subi (Nuing), Rumah Drahman, Rumah Suntai, Rumah Rinding, Rumah Banyan Gaong, Rumah Bai Jalam Timbarap, Rumah Keyai, Rumah Janting, Rumah Michael and Rumah Saba would have scheduled supply from Thursdays to Sundays.
When contacted yesterday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is Marudi assemblyman, assured the Beluru folk that the water rationing exercise was just a precautionary measure that had to be taken in view of the current shortage of water supply.