KOTA KINABALU: Drought-hit districts in Sabah have received 6,736 cartons of drinking water donated by PETRONAS through the state disaster management committee.

       PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan general manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said the company hoped this would give some relief to those badly affected by the dry spell.

       "We hope that this small gesture will complement the efforts by disaster relief agencies,” she said in a statement on Thursday (March 27) after handing over the items to committee secretary Datuk Awang Shahminan Awang Sahari.

       “Let us stay safe during this prolonged dry season,” Siti Ayu said, adding that the contribution reflected PETRONAS' ongoing engagement in activities with social impact that contributed to community well-being.

       Sabah’s dry spell is expected to continue until mid- to late April, when more rainfall is expected.

       In February, state Meteorological Office director Amirzudi Hashim said the hot weather was a recurring phenomenon every year from February to May.

       He said Malaysia was in the final phase of the North-East Monsoon, which is expected to last until the end of March.

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       Cloud cover and rainfall distribution are generally reduced in most areas during this period, he said, adding that prolonged absence of rain could lead to hotter and drier weather where the daily maximum temperature can exceed 35℃.