PAPAR: Cloud seeding needs to be carried out immediately in Sabah to induce rainfall and alleviate the state’s water supply crisis, says Sabah, Sarawak affairs and special functions minister Armizan Ali.
He called for the Sabah government to seek cloud seeding services from Putrajaya.
He said the state technical team can, through the state government, submit an application to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for the purpose.
“I am not going to downplay this. The water supply situation in Sabah is at a critical level and the southwest monsoon phenomenon this time will make it even more critical.
“If cloud seeding is not carried out, many other water treatment plants will be affected,” he said following an event here today.
Armizan, who is the Papar MP, said water levels in Sungai Papar have dropped to the point where the Limbahau emergency water supply scheme water treatment plant has been forced to shut down, affecting more than 19,000 residents in 33 villages in his constituency.
He said this has forced authorities to send out water tankers to village mosques and community halls.
Armizan said one long-term suggestion is the provision of static tanks with a capacity of 10,000-20,000 litres to be built in problem areas.
He said the Kogopon Papar plant upgrade is ongoing, 10 years after scheduled completion, with increased costs being a key stumbling block.
Armizan said he was also satisfied with explanations by Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor given to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday on short-term water solutions.
“We have no choice. The construction of dams for example. If it is not decided now, then they cannot be completed within a year or two. It takes a minimum of 60 months at least,” he said.
The government has allocated RM320 million for six programmes targeting nine districts – Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan. - FMT
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