KOTA BARU: Villagers in Kelantan have been facing critical water supply problems for the past two months as the hot weather has dried up the tube wells that they relied on for their daily supply.
The affected villagers were mostly from Kota Baru districts of Melor, Pasir Tumboh and Kampung Paloh, and they claimed that life had become difficult as they were burdened with the cost of finding new sources of water.
Self-employed Afrizam Md Ariff said he spent RM1,200 to set up the tube well at his home in Kampung Sri Kulim, Melor, which had dried up.
"We spent more than RM1,200 to build the tube well three years ago, and the amount included the pump's price and also for digging works.
"At that time, the well was about 8.4 metres deep and it was operating very well. But since last Ramadan, the water level began to drop and two weeks ago, it completely dried up.
"We are really upset and this has caused a lot of trouble. We have called a tube well operator, and he told us that we need to dig the well for another 12 metres," said the 48-year-old father of three.
Afrizam said it was expensive for him to dig the well and his family could not afford to hire the operator.
"As an alternative, we have to get water supply from our relatives and neighbours' homes. But they are also facing a similar problem and now, we have no choice but to buy water from vending machines and other sources," he said.
He claimed that more than 10 families in his village were facing the same problem.
Housewife Roselawati Ibrahim said she believed many well operators were taking advantage of the situation to raise the charges for their work.
"My tube well had dried up since early this month, and l have called three tube well operators to check it.
"Some of them suggested for me to dig new wells, but after hearing the cost which is between RM800 to RM1,500, l decided to put it on hold," said the 58-year-old Kampung Paloh villager.
Roselawati also said the price for digging tube wells were different as some places had to search deeper for water.
"In some places, villagers just need to dig 25m only, but in others, they have to dig until 40m. This is a problem especially for the low-income group. Many are in a dilemma and could not think of the right solution," she added.
