Water to be rationed

Water to be rationed

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Water rationing in Malaysia's capital
and its surroundings may last to October if the drought caused by
the El Nio weather phenomenon continues, the daily Star quoted
government officials as saying yesterday.

The newspaper quoted central Selangor state executive
councillor Rakibah Abdul Manap as saying that the rationing
exercise would be extended for six more months if there was not
enough rain.

"If rainfall is sparse and the water levels in dams do not
return to normal, we will have no choice but to continue with the
rationing program for as long as necessary," she said.

The lack of rain due to the El Nio phenomenon has created a
severe water shortage in the capital, forcing authorities to
ration water to some 1.8 million residents for the last few
weeks.

Several industries located in the capital and neighboring
Selangor have been affected by the water shortage, according to
the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).