KOTA KINABALU: The state Education Department has ordered schools to limit outdoor activities as haze hits the Kimanis area in Sabah’s Papar districts.

       State Education director Datuk Raisin Saidin said that all district education offices have been directed to remind school management to take precautionary measures in view of the current hot and dry weather conditions.

       The unhealthy air quality was recorded on Thursday (March 14) in the Kimanis area which comes under the Papar district.

       “I have asked the Papar district education office to advise schools to avoid outdoor activities,” he said when asked about steps taken with the developing haze situation and the declaration of a drought emergency in Papar on Wednesday (March 13).

       He said all the 62 schools in Papar were operating as usual with limited outdoor activities until a order is issued to temporarily halt school sessions.

       The Papar district disaster management centre was activated on Wednesday after the water supply from the Papar water treatment plant was shut down by the Water Department amid the dry spell since early February.

       Papar district officer Mohd Fuad Abdullah said that authorities were putting in place a water supply distribution schedule for people in all areas within the district.

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       He said they also requested help for water tankers from the Ranau Water Department, Beaufort district council as well as the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department and the private sector to ensure water supplies reach the people.

       ENDS

       SABAH SARAWAK