Sabah still able to cope with dry spell

KOTA KINABALU: Water officials are confident of weathering the El Nino-induced dry spell until the middle of April before they introduce water rationing.

Sabah Water Department deputy director Teo Chee Kong said the current water levels at the Bambagon and Telibong dams as well as river intake points were sufficient for the city and other areas spanning from Tuaran to Papar.

“We are monitoring on a daily basis and at present we are able to provide normal water supply. If the dry spell persists, we will have to resort to rationing,” he said, adding that the weatherman had forecast that the dry spell would end by late March or early April.

The Babagon dam, which can store up to 22 million cubic litres of water, is Sabah’s biggest dam, while the Telibong dam has a capacity of 10 million cubic litres.

Teo said there had been minimal rainfall around the catchment areas in January and records showed that it was lower than the minimum recorded rainfall in 100 years.

“If the water levels hit 111m (45% capacity), we will need to put in place some form of rationing. If it drops to the 102m level (20% capa­city), then we go into full rationing,” he said.