Kelantan villagers turn to river as drought dries up water sources

 

RANTAU PANJANG: About 2,000 residents in five villages near the Malaysia-Thai border are relying on the Golok river after wells ran dry following a prolonged dry spell.

Villagers said the problem began about a week before Hari Raya and worsened during the festive period, leaving them with no choice but to source water from the river.

Despite the river's shallow level, they said they had to depend on it as piped water supply from Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) was also insufficient.

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The affected areas include Kampung Tok Deh, Kampung Lubok Gong, Kampung Tersang, Kampung Banggol Kulim and Pekan Rantau Panjang.

Wan Som Wan Din, 71, said his household had been without water even before Ramadan.

"There has been no water since before the fasting month. Even the supply from AKSB has not been available," she said.

"I have to fetch water from the Golok river, about 500m from my house, just to bathe and wash clothes."

Another resident, Mohamad Shahrul Nizam Ibrahim, 30, said the situation became critical during Hari Raya as all water sources dried up.

"Wells, tube wells and even piped water ran dry. People are suffering," he said.

"Those returning home for Hari Raya also struggled to bathe and had to go down to the river."

He added that he travels about 1km daily by motorcycle to collect water.

"After work, I still need to collect water for bathing, ablution and washing dishes," said the trader.

Mek Yah Ahmad, 49, from Kampung Tok Deh, said her family had been using river water for the past two weeks.

"We wash clothes at the river and the children bathe there. Even relatives who came back for Raya had to use the river," she said.

She added that her tube well had also dried up and expressed concern for her 18-year-old disabled son.

"I am not confident about taking him to the river due to safety concerns," she said. - NST