KOTA KINABALU: Some parts of Sabah finally experienced light rainfall since last night till early hours today, after nearly two months of dry spell due to the El Nino season.
The drizzle was reported to occur around areas in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan at the west coast between 1am and 6am.
Kunak, Tawau, Ranau and Keningau districts were also reported to experience some wet weather starting 7pm last night.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has directed the State Disaster Relief Committee to monitor and implement measures to overcome water shortage.
The committee is headed by State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
He also reminded district level Disaster Relief Committees to be alert and monitor the water supply situation in their respective districts.
"The current drought has caused water shortages throughout the state especially in areas like Pekan Nabalu, Pulau Banggi, Pulau Sebatik and Pitas," he said after chairing the State cabinet meeting here today.
He said the relevant authorities such as the Water Department were doing all they can to alleviate the situation including delivering water to severely affected areas.
He also urged the public to conserve water in light of the dry spell that is expected to last till June.
"There is also a high incidence of bush and forest fires that has deteriorated our air quality. Therefore I would also like to remind people to be responsible and not to resort to open burning that would worsen the haze," he said.