KOTA KINABALU: Some 150,000 people have been affected by drought in Sabah's south-western Papar district, about 40km here.

District officer Mohd Fuad Abdullah said as of Friday (March 15), the affected population was found to be residing in 42 villages and seven housing areas in the district, which has been declared as being under a drought emergency.

Seven schools as well as three places of worship were also affected, he added.

"Operations to deliver clean water supply have been carried out in four areas according to set schedules, namely at SK Pantai Manis, Kampung Timbangan, Palm Condominium and Gereja Kg Limbahau," he said in a statement on Friday.

He added that thousands of litres were being sent to the Limbahau, Pantai Manis and Kawang state constituencies using tanker lorries and vehicles belonging to the Sabah Water Department, Papar District Council, state Public Works Department, as well as the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department.

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Mohd Fuad said one new brush fire was reported that spread over 0.8ha of land near SK Agama Sekayan, Pengalat Besar at 12.07pm on Friday.

He added that the department had recorded nine brush fires since March 9.

"The drought has also affected the agriculture sector, particularly 93 farmers in the Limbahau and Biau Padawan areas," he said, adding that some 54.68ha of land was affected in Limbahau and about 30.22ha in Biau Padawan.

To spread awareness of fire prevention, he said, the Sabah Information Department has carried out its Info On Wheels initiative at three villages.

"The state government will continue to monitor developments.

"Hence, the 24-hour district disaster control operations centre has been activated at the Papar District Office," said Mohd Fuad, adding that the public may contact the centre at 088-914999.