Water cuts plague Johor, Melaka folk

SIMPANG RENGGAM (Sept 30): Despite two days of rainfall in Simpang Renggam in Johor, water levels of Sungai Benut has failed to rise, causing fears of a water shortage to be realised.
 
The NST reports that water rationing, already in place, has been extended until Oct 31. A new water rationing schedule, issued by Ranhill SAJ yesterday, said the water distribution period had been changed to 24 hours, preceding the 48 hour water cut.
 
The publication quotes Rosliza Jamalludin, 47, a resident of Taman Rekamas, who said the new schedule was a cause for concern for residents.
 
She said most families would run out of water as they did not have enough containers to store water.
 
“We are at a loss over how to resolve this. This was only expected to last a month.
 
“We hope Ranhill SAJ will prepare two to four water tankers for each housing area as a backup when water disruptions occur.”
 
Another resident was quoted as saying: “We had rain in the last two days,but it didn’t fall in catchment areas.The water level at Sungai Benut rose only slightly before it receded again.
 
“All we can do is pray for this to be over soon. We can’t take much more.”
 
A resident in Melaka, food stall operator Rohana Abdullah, 43, said that if plans were effectively drawn, water rationing would be a thing of the past.
 
“I am not blaming anyone, but when there is no water, it can be burdensome for consumers, especially food stall operators like me.
 
“My knees and back are hurting after having to carry five to six pails of water every day from the water tankers for my use,” she was quoted saying.
 
She said earlier warning would help residents weather the cuts.
 
Muhammad Syukur Rahman, 61, a pensioner who lives in Bukit Katil, was quoted as saying that the authorities should have contingency plans in place.
 
“We cannot rely solely on external supply.
 
“We should have or own emergency storage and alternative water sources for use in times of water shortage.”
 
Low water levels in dams and water retention ponds caused water disruption earlier this month, with twelve areas being affected.