KOTA KINABALU: Barely a month after devastating floods, Sabah is now grappling with soaring temperatures and dry conditions.
The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia’s Sabah chapter has called for immediate preventive measures to tackle the hot spell amid rising concerns over potential water shortages.
Its chairman David Chan called on the state government to remain vigilant and act proactively.
“With temperatures expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks, there is growing concern over potential water shortages, particularly in rural areas and regions prone to low water pressure.
“Early preparedness is critical to ensure continuous and equitable water supply for all consumers,” he said.
He also urged the Sabah Water Department to take preventive action, including strengthening monitoring and maintenance to detect and repair pipe leakages promptly, preventing unnecessary wastage of treated water.
“They should also enhance response times for reported water disruptions and infrastructure failures, as well as deploy sufficient water tankers to areas experiencing low pressure or supply interruptions, especially in villages and remote communities,” he added.
Chan stressed that such contingency plans are essential to maintain uninterrupted water supply during peak dry periods.
“Treated water is a valuable resource.
“Any leakage or inefficiency not only leads to wastage, but also adds strain to already vulnerable supply systems.
“We urge the state government to coordinate closely with relevant agencies to ensure all mitigation measures are in place to safeguard the welfare of the people.
“Access to clean water is a basic necessity and must be prioritised, particularly during extreme weather,” he said.
Sabah was hit by floods and landslides between February and early March, displacing over 10,000 people.
Over the past two weeks, the state has been experiencing a persistent hot and dry spell, heightening concerns over water supply.
