A protracted water supply disruption affecting 11 villages in Mukim Keluang near Kampung Raja has plunged residents into a dire water crisis, expected to endure until January 21. Despite efforts by Syarikat Air Terengganu Sdn Bhd and other relevant authorities, residents of Taman Mawaddah in Kampung Limbongan are compelled to adopt unconventional measures, including the revival of wells untouched for 25 years. The plight of individuals like Zulkifli Mohammad, a 53-year-old civil servant, epitomizes the struggle, as he invests RM700 in a tank and pump to extract water from a decades-old well.
Residents Turn to Abandoned Wells:
Zulkifli Mohammad’s reliance on a resuscitated well demonstrates the severity of the situation, as residents grapple with the scarcity of clean water. Additionally, some community members are taking the initiative to construct tube wells within their compounds, highlighting the urgency in identifying reliable water sources.
Challenges and Community Initiatives:
The daily struggles of residents, such as Tarmizi Ahmad, a 62-year-old government retiree, underscore the need for additional water tanks strategically placed to alleviate the burden. Despite the efforts of Syarikat Air Terengganu, the community’s initiatives, ranging from sourcing water from static tanks to individual endeavors like purchasing buckets, shed light on the challenges faced in securing a consistent water supply for the affected residents.
Root Cause of Disruption:
Syarikat Air Terengganu confirmed on Monday that a pipe leak at the bottom of Sungai Besut near Jambatan Kampung Lampu was the source of the disruption impacting 11 villages. This revelation emphasizes the critical importance of infrastructure maintenance and preventative measures to mitigate future disruptions and ensure a reliable water supply.
Call for Swift Solutions:
As the water crisis persists, there is a growing call for accelerated solutions from relevant authorities to address the disruption promptly and institute measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The reliance on abandoned wells underscores the vulnerability of the current water infrastructure, urging a swift fortification against unforeseen challenges through comprehensive planning and strategic initiatives.