PAPAR: The army is now on standy in the district here to help in the disaster operations due to the drought.
District Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Fuad Abdullah said the army has reported to the Papar District Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) to help in the drought disaster work.
They are on standby to help with the coordination of the people's needs in Papar to address the drought disaster issues.
"Apart from that, (a company) Asli Jati Engineering Sdn Bhd has also reported to Papar District Disaster Operations Control Centre to coordinate assistance ," he said in a statement.
Fuad said since the activation Papar District Disaster Operations Control Centre last week, the number of affected people remains the same at about 150,000.
There are 40 villages, nine residential areas, eight schools, nine residential parks, and three places of worship in the Papar district that are without water supply.
The operation to deliver clean water supplies is conducted in three areas according to the established schedule: Kampung Mandahan, Sabah State Railway Department Kinarut Depot and Kinarut Health Clinic.
Meanwhile, Fuad said the Papar District Agriculture Department reported that the temperature has reached 33°C, affecting the production of short-term crops such as rice, vegetables, and cash crops due to the lack of water sources.
"The affected rice area covers 84.90 ha , involving 93 farmers in two subdistricts within the the Limbahau state constituency, namely Limbahau (54.68 ha) and Biau - Padawan (30.22 ha)."
He added to raise public awareness regarding the ban on open burning, especially in the Papar district, the Sabah State Information Department had conducted its 'Info On Wheels (IOW)' at six locations: Kampung Pengalat Kecil, Kampung Pengalat Besar, Kampung Sekayan, Kampung Melinsung Apartment, Kampung Beringis, and Kampung Kawang.
"I would like to advise the affected communities to use water sparingly so that the distribution of clean water supplies can be consumed collectively and prudently.
"I also suggest holding special prayer sessions for rain according to individual beliefs as a spiritual effort."