A prolonged dry spell has led to critical shortages of fresh water on several islands in Baa Atoll.
The islands of Kendhu, Kihadhu and Kamadhu in Baa Atoll are among the islands afraid that they might completely run out of rain water if the government does not provide aid.
Island councilor of Kendhu Adbul Rahman said the water stored in the tanks was running low as it had not rained for a long time.
”We use rain water for cooking, cleaning and drinking, and it would be very difficult for us if the tanks run out,” Rahman said.
Rahman said water tanks on some of the island’s had run dry, forcing the occupants to now sharing water with neighbours.
”It is possible all the tanks with be empty if does not rain soon,” he said, explaining that the islanders were doing a survey “and after that if we think we should ask for help from the government, we will.”
He said this happened every year during at same time, and noted that the government helped only last year.
Island chief for Kihadhu Adnan Ibrahim said that six 5000 litre tanks on the island were now empty.
”We just sent the message to the Atoll office,” Adnan said. “People are now sharing water from those neighbour whose water tanks are not empty.”
Adnan said there were water tanks on every house, but many of them were now empty.
”The government has provided us a 10000 litre water tank but it is too big and not usable,” he said. ”It’s too long and its very difficult to clean.”
He said the islanders relied on only rainwater for everything.
Island councilor of Kamadhu Ahmed Shafeeq also said their water tanks would be empty very soon if it did not rain.
Shafeeq said the government had helped them only last year when their water tanks ran out.
”if the government did not provide aid we might run out of water,” he said.
Press secretary for the president’s office Mohamed Zuhair, State minister for Home Affairs Ahmed Adil and Atoll Councilor Mohamed Habib did not respond to Minivan News at time of press.
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