Nearly half a million 1.5-litre bottles have been sent to drought-hit communities across Sarawak, with deliveries still continuing at 68 locations as of Sept 17. A state update said 492,671 bottles of 1.5-litre water were distributed between August and Sept 14. Reports to the State Disaster Management Committee as of 6pm on Sept 17 showed deliveries still under way at 68 locations, covering 1,494 families and 6,624 people across seven areas — Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah and Bintulu — including villages, longhouses and a clinic. The state government has channelled RM6.636 million for the operation. Social welfare teams are working with civil defence, fire and rescue personnel, police and community volunteers to move supplies to affected residents. The figures describe aid delivered up to the stated dates; they are not a forecast of when the dry spell will end.