THREE soup kitchens that provide about 1,800 meals to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur from Thursday to Saturday will not be able to do so now because of the water supply disruption currently affecting the Klang Valley.

The operators told the Malaysian Insight that with their limited resources, they will be able to provide meals for only 200 individuals.

They said sourcing for adequate water supply to cook the meals is a struggle.

Beyond Borders founder Mahi Ramakrishnan said for the next three days, the non-profit organisation can provide only about 200 meals.

So far, 120 meals have been confirmed, she added.

“The chef at Da Men Mall in Subang Jaya said he can help out with only 120 meals, as he is worried that the water disruption may affect his place and he cannot serve his customers.

“Ganga Café – another contributor, which provides 100 meals – cannot commit as it is worried that its water supply will run out.”

Mahi said she aims to provide 300 meals, but that is not enough for all the homeless.

“I am worried that they may go hungry because we are not able to provide for them.”

The three soup kitchens are Beyond Borders, Pertubuhan Kesihatan dan Kebajikan Umum Malaysia (PKKUM) and The Community Hub.

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd said the water supply is expected to resume in stages from 5pm tomorrow.

Its corporate communications head, Elina Baseri, said maintenance work for the critical assets was scheduled to be completed yesterday.

The duration of the disruption and recovery will vary depending on the distance of the consumers’ premises and the water pressure at the distribution system, she added.

She said the water supply is expected to be fully restored on Saturday at 9pm.

Mahi said her volunteers have reached out to her, saying that they cannot cook tomorrow due to the disruption.

“So, we had to quickly source water from other avenues.”

The volunteers have also had to make adjustments such as transporting cooking utensils to locations where water is available to cook, she added.

“These volunteers are juggling between cooking, housework, office work and their families.

“It is not easy, but they are women who will not allow anything to stop them from helping those in need.”

Providing food for the destitute

PKKUM founder Elisha Kor Krishnan said the water disruption has made it difficult for the organisation as cooking now needs to be outsourced.

“We cannot cook, so we have to buy food. This causes us to go beyond our budget.

“Our expenses have increased about 40% because we cannot cook and have to buy food. We have to utilise funds from donations to provide the meals,” she said, adding that funds do not last long as many donors have pulled out due to the pandemic.

Elisha said she is worried that the homeless may not have sufficient water during the disruption.

“Most of them use a water dispenser provided by us to refill water for their daily usage.

“Due to the water shortage and hot weather, it is sad to see them go thirsty and unable to find any other water source.”

PKKUM helps Chow Kit Road residents, the homeless, jobless, drug users, sex workers, transgender and migrants.

Air Selangor said the disruption is unavoidable as the Sg Selangor Water Treatment Plant Phase 1 will be shut down for upgrading and maintenance works.

A total of 998 areas in Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Langat and Kuala Selangor are affected by the water disruption, which began at 9am today.

Air Selangor, as the sole water services provider in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, is responsible for abstracting, treating and distributing clean and safe water to 8.4 million consumers. – October 13, 2021.