30,000 in Kapit hit by drought

SIBU, Aug 30 Drought in the Kapit division of Sarawak is drying up wells and streams and has made stretches of the Rajang River impassable to boats, affecting more than 30,000 people who are now facing a water shortage and transportation problems.

Thirty of the 45 schools in the division are also affected by the water shortage.

It is a blessing for the students that their schools are now closed for the Hari Raya holidays, Kapit Resident Dahim Dandot was quoted as saying.

The Borneo Post newspaper today quoted him as saying that the authorities might have to alert the Prime Ministers Department to declare a state of emergency there if the problem persists for the next 18 days.

The shallow stretches of the river between Kapit and Belaga towns had forced express boat operators to suspend services, said Dahim.

Many people in Kapit believe that their water woes started in early October last year when the Bakun dam was impounded.

According to Bernama, although water is released from the dam all the time from an outlet, the amount is insignificant for the desired navigable level of the river.