KENINGAU: Residents here are advised not to use water from Sungai Bariawa and Sungai Pegalan following a glue spill Friday (April 1) overnight.

Keningau Police Chief, DSP, Nor Rafidah Kassim said at 11.40pm on Friday that a truck carrying glue from Kota Kinabalu heading for a plywood factory skidded and crashed on the way down.

The driver was not injured but the accident damaged the truck and glue spilled into a river in Kampung Bariawa.

“Teams from the Department of Health and Police have taken river water samples for further measurement. Reports have been submitted to the Department of the Environment (DOE) for action.

“The public is advised not to carry out any activity in the river which is suspected to be polluted,” she said in a statement on Saturday April 2.

Meanwhile, Keningau District Officer Walter Kenson in a statement on Saturday urged villagers living near the Bariawa and Sungai Pegalan rivers not to use water from the river until it is confirmed by the department.

He said the affected areas included Bariawa Ulu, Bariawa Tengah, Bariawa Laut, Lingkudou, Durok, Masak and Ansip.

Residents were also asked to spread the message not to use water from the rivers.

“The chemical (glue) spill contains phenol-formaldehyde resin, which is classified as toxic and dangerous to humans.

“Residents who suffer from health problems after using the river water should go to the nearest hospital or medical clinic for immediate treatment,” she said. – Bernama