It has not rained for more than two months in many parts of the country and the haze in in KL and the Klang Valley has reached unhealthy levels to the point of choking the people in some badly affected areas recently. The recent Meteorological Department’s announcement that the unusual hot and dry spell that we are experiencing  is expected to  persist for another couple of weeks is indeed cause for concern.

The current water rationing schedule by the authorities that allows a household to 41 hours of water supply and no water for 55 hours for the entire month of March has created so much stress and anxiety among the people. An estimated 2.4 million people are expected to be  affected by this large-scale historical water rationing schedule in the Klang Valley and Selangor

Although the unpredictable weather pattern has contributed to the current water crisis to a certain extent, we cannot completely blame everything on Mother Nature. Many are of the view that the innocent public could have been spared the present water shortage ordeal if only the Selangor state government and the federal government had given priority to public welfare and interest instead of playing politics.

Too much time, money and effort is said to have  been spent by both the ruling government and the opposition to the point that some perceive the needs and welfare of the people have been neglected or overlooked. Many are of the opinion that the present hot and dry weather and the water crisis are due to our unethical and selfish actions of not respecting the environment.

However, spiritualists and religious pundits believe that we are all been punished by God for our disgusting and deplorable acts of deliberately abusing animals (slitting the throats of animals and allowing their blood to flow in the open) and disturbing the peace in places of worships.

Whatever is said by the others aside, there is no doubt the adamant and somewhat idiotic stance of the Selangor state government to delay the Langat 2 water tunnel project for the last six years has contributed to this sorry state of affairs in the country today.

The Selangor menteri besar kept on assuring the people in the past that the state has more than enough water reserves. He even went on to say that he will harvest the water from all the unused mining ponds in the state to meet the needs of the public. What happened to all the water from the unused tin mines, YB Khalid Ibrahim? Has all the water from the unused tin mines evaporated into thin air overnight due to the present weather conditions?

Putting aside their political antics

Now that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on water has been signed, I pray all these dramas will stop here and our politicians from both side of the divide will put aside their political antics and focus on the welfare and needs of the people and work towards alleviating the sufferings of the people affected by the water crisis.

In the past couple of days there has been several reports in the media of incidents of death (child drowned in a water storage container), miscarriages (abortion), accidents, fights among residents, etc that has been directly associated with the current water crisis.

People who are seriously affected by the water crisis in their desperate state have the tendency to be highly emotional and irritable. They may overlook personal and family safety and health during these difficult and tiring times.

I noticed that those who cannot afford to purchase new plastic containers to store their water, are using all types of containers including those that was once used for storing hazardous substances and chemicals. If these containers are not properly cleaned before use they may pose a health risk to the families.

In view of the dangers and other risk factors associated with storing water in old used containers, I appeal to the relevant authorities concerned to take immediate steps in ensuring the public, especially the poor, are aware of the risks associated with storing water in used chemical containers, etc.

Ideally the authorities should use the media including the radio and TV to advise and warn the public of all the associated dangers with regards to the present water crisis. It is also advisable for the authorities concerned take proactive measure to mitigate any unexpected incidents (mishaps like poisoning ,disease outbreak, etc)  that may pose a danger or risk to the public due to the drastic water crisis faced by the nation.

It must be pointed out that drinking water is a big responsibility of not only the government but businesses and individuals. Water is crucial for al life forms on earth. It plays an essential role for our health , economy ,food production and the environment. Drinking fresh water is a compulsory element for the development of the public health, since 21 of the 37 primary diseases are associated to water and sanitation, according to experts.