Thailand drought raises water supply concerns

BANGKOK • With water levels in dams "more critical than the 1987 and 1998 severe drought situations", the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand yesterday proposed that two major dams release less water to ensure stocks last for this month.

The Thai Meteorological Department said the rains that could alleviate the situation may not arrive till next month.

During a meeting at the Royal Irrigation Department head office, several agencies expressed concern over the effect of the drought on the Chao Phraya River basin.

THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Sabah quake damage comes up to $35 million

KOTA KINABALU • Sabah suffered nearly RM100 million (S$35 million) in damage in the June 5 Mount Kinabalu earthquake, the state assembly heard yesterday.

The quake and more than 100 aftershocks affected 61 buildings, such as schools, a hospital and mosque.

More than 22 roads were also damaged.

Sabah Special Tasks Minister Teo Chee Kang, speaking yesterday at the state assembly, said: "A total of 136 houses in Kota Belud and 268 houses in Ranau were also slightly or moderately damaged."

The losses have so far amounted to RM94.8 million, reported The Malay Mail Online.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

World's oldest man dies at age 112 in Japan

TOKYO • Mr Sakari Momoi, a Japanese man recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest man, has died at the age of 112, local media reported yesterday.

Mr Momoi, who lived in the city of Saitama, near Tokyo, was recognised by Guinness as the oldest man in August 2014. He died of chronic kidney failure at a hospital in Tokyo on Sunday.

Mr Momoi,who used to be a teacher, taught agricultural chemistry at public high schools in Saitama and Fukushima prefectures.

After his death, Mr Yasutaro Koide, a 112-year-old man in Nagoya, has become the oldest man in Japan, according to the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry.

XINHUA