Gloomy Eid celebration, 300 families in Telipot facing water supply issues

PASIR PUTEH: Approximately 300 families in Telipot Subdistrict here are forced to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in a “gloomy” and inadequate manner due to disruptions in water supply since last Tuesday, which was a day before the festival.

Village headman Muhd Zali Mat Daud, 57, said that most residents were unable to prepare festive dishes as usual because the stored water supply was only sufficient for bathing and essential needs.

He mentioned that children returning from outstation to celebrate Eid with their families also endured the hardship of water shortages.

“The water supply issue in this village often occurs, but from a day before Eid until now, we are still facing water supply disruptions. As a result, all Eid preparations are greatly hindered, especially cooking festive dishes. Even the snacks and Eid cookies bought for guests cannot be served, and open houses cannot be held,” he told Bernama here today.

Muhd Zali stated that Telipot Subdistrict is in a relatively high area, causing the cost of building tube wells to reach RM8,000 with an estimated depth of 25 meters.
Meanwhile, resident of Kampung Chengal Pulas, Saufi Ariffin, 60, said he prepared about 20 black plastic containers and buckets to store water for his family’s use throughout Ramadan and Shawwal.

He said that during the fasting month, water supply was obtained only from 2 am to 6 am.

“This water problem is very burdensome for us. Not only do we have to prepare storage containers, but we also have to stay up at night to obtain water for our family’s use,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shahrul Hisyam Mahadi, 33, from Kampung Wakaf Tukup, said that due to frequent disruptions in water supply from Kelantan Water Company (AKSB), most residents had to bathe and wash clothes in Sungai Tengah, especially those who did not have wells at home.

“Although the river is getting shallower due to the hot weather and we are worried about its cleanliness, that is the only alternative we have for now, and we hope this water supply issue can be addressed soon,” he said.

Previously, AKSB announced several preparedness action plans to ensure the continuity of water supply in the state so as not to be affected during the Eid celebration season.

— BERNAMA