Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the State Government, through the Public Works Department (PWD) and the State Water Department, is focusing on urgent repairs to restore essential infrastructure disrupted by recent floods and landslides.
He said emergency works were underway to clear the Penampang-Papar road near Kawang, which was cut off due to landslides, while other affected routes in the State were being made passable through diversion roads and slope clearing.
“At the same time, the Water Department has mobilised water tankers to supply affected areas, including housing estates and hotels in Kota Kinabalu, where raw water supply lines were badly damaged,” said Shahelmey, also State Works Minister, during a working visit with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPGM) Gaya Campus, here, Friday.
He revealed that the city is currently facing a shortfall of about 30 million litres of treated water per day, a gap that has forced authorities to implement contingency supply measures.
“Since the onset of the heavy rain disaster, the Water Department received about 800 complaints related to water disruptions, including 46 confirmed cases of burst pipes.
“Repairs are ongoing in phases, with priority given to major pipelines and supply intakes,” he said.
He said such incidents are expected in the aftermath of severe weather, as restored water pressure often causes older pipes to rupture.
The Minister also urged the public to follow the official social media pages of PWD and the Water Department for real-time updates.
“These platforms are now actively posting photos and notices of repair works so that people know the latest status and can plan accordingly,” he said, adding that public awareness is crucial to reduce frustration and misinformation.
