Sarawak says all ready for dry El Nino weather

KUCHING: Sarawak is prepared to face the dry spell stemming from the El Nino weather phenomenon, readying about 1,000 vehicles and boats to deliver water to villages as needed.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said although this year's El Nino was weak, it was expected to last until May and had already caused dry weather with less rain.

"Several villages and longhouses are facing water shortage, so we have decided that the disaster management committees at divisional level will continue with their preparations for the dry spell.

"All the committees have been equipped with vehicles and allocations for water delivery. The Rural Water Supply Department will also deliver water where necessary.

"To face the dry weather, we have five helicopters, five drones, 172 lorries, 549 vans, 109 ambulances and 283 boats," he told reporters after chairing the state disaster management committee meeting here on Tuesday (March 26).

Uggah said water must be delivered within six hours of receiving a complaint of water shortage.

"There was a directive from the Chief Minister recently that all the Residents (heads of administrative divisions) are to beef up their machinery on the ground to receive information and respond to complaints.

"Our KPI is that six hours after receiving a complaint, the village must have water," he said.