KUCHING: A temporary dam will be built on the upper reaches of a river in Betong Division to raise its water level and ease drought-stricken villages around the area, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu here yesterday.
He said the dam would impound the water that flowed from upstream to alleviate the water shortage problems experienced by villagers ever since the dry season started.
“I have discussed with the Betong JKR (PWD Divisional) engineer to take steps to build a low weir by pushing in gravel from the river base to build a temporary dam, probably rising up to two metres.” Jabu, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, told reporters this after the swearing-in of two re-appointed political secretaries to the chief minister at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
He said as a longer-term measure, a new water treatment plant was currently being constructed in Krian to solve the water woes in the division, as well as upgrading the present one near Betong town. Jabu, who is also Minister of Rural Development, said that plans were underway to construct more roads to link villages where their residents were still relying on river transportation in order to move around.
He said the availability of road communication would also facilitate work to provide treated water and electricity supply to the areas concerned.
On the haze situation in Sarawak, Jabu said the occurrence of sporadic rain in some parts of the state had slightly improved the situation, particularly in areas with high air pollution levels.
“We are not out of the drought yet because of the long dry spell, and this small amount of rain does not make much impact, but at least it improved the air quality index.” — Bernama
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