The relevant authorities such as the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Meterological Department have been asked to prepare for cloud seeding should the current dry spell in Sarawak persists.

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang said at the moment there was no necessity for cloud seeding and water supplies would also be sent to schools, villages, longhouses and other areas facing water shortages.

“We examined the water supply in Kuching and at the moment there is no cause for concern and contingency measures are taken by all the relevant departments including the water board and Public Work Department,” Jabu, who is also state Disaster Management Committee chairperson, told a media conference in Kuching today.

He assured that there would be sufficient supply of water for the people despite the dry spell, which was expected to last until September.

All resident offices throughout the state also had their own contingency plans with standard operating procedures (SOP), while priority would be given to areas with water shortages during the coming Hari Raya celebration.

“In areas where there are no way to deliver water, the Welfare Department has been asked to increase the supply of drinking water from four boxes to 10 boxes per family to ensure that during festive season there is no shortage of water,” he said.

According to Jabu, the Kuching Water Board (KWB) with their experience in monitoring and management of the water requirement had a new method to raise sufficient water supply to supplement the Public Works Department’s water source.

He said the other authorities including the Medical Department were also on standby with their plan to contain outbreak of diseases.

- Bernama