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).