COMMUNITIES along Western’s Lower Bamu River are facing a drinking water crisis as prolonged dry conditions linked to El Niño continue to affect the area.
Resident Jacob Kayop, who recently visited 12 villages in the Lower Bamu River area over three weeks, said many communities had exhausted their rainwater supplies and were now relying on unsafe water sources for survival.
He has called on the Delta Fly development authority, the Fly River government and development partners to urgently intervene and provide safe drinking water to affected villages.
He said villagers were fetching water directly from the Bamu River, sago swamps and other sources that could pose serious health risks.
“Many water tanks have run dry, leaving people with no choice but to use river water, swamp water and even coconut water,” Kayop said.
He observed people carrying bottles filled with yellowish-coloured water and was concerned about its quality.
“When I asked where the water came from, villagers told me they were collecting it from the river because they had no other option,” he said.
He said the crisis highlighted the need for greater investment in rural infrastructure and water projects in remote parts of the province.
Kayop urged authorities to mobilise resources and work together to address the water shortage before it leads to serious health problems among affected communities.
