Power outage in Gemanafushi as generator is mistakenly filled with water instead of oil

There has been a power outage in Gaafu Alifu Gemanafushi as the island’s generator was filled with water, instead of oil, that was in the barrels brought in from Gaafu Alifu Villingili.

Gemanafushi Council Member Mohamed Solih told Sun Online that 3,000 litres (15 barrels) of oil was brought into the island from Villingili Power Station today.

He said that this oil was received subsequent to hours of power outage after Gemanafushi ran out of oil, and shortly after the generator was filled up, it stopped working and the entire island lost power again.

Engineers who checked the generator found large amounts of water in the tank and filter, said Solih.

He said that more than one barrel of water was removed from the tank of the generator.

He said that also on an earlier occasion, it was noticed that 27 litres were missing from each barrel of oil brought in from Villingili Power Station.

Solih went on to say that the captain of the boat that carried the barrels from Villingili was arrested this evening while using drugs in the bathroom of Gemanafushi fish market.

The police media official said that a 28-year-old man has been arrested in the bathroom of Gemanafushi fish market today with a substance suspected to be drugs.

Solih said that Gemanafushi has faced frequent power outages for about one month now, and electronic equipment used in some houses have been damaged as a result.

A member of Gaafu Alifu Kanduhulhudhoo Council also Sun Online that water had been found in the oil barrels sent to the island’s power station.

The Kanduhulhudhoo council member said that following the damage caused to the generator in Gemanafushi, the island’s power station had been informed by the council to properly check the oil before it is used.

Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation Mohamed Nimal said that complaints have been received from Gemanafushi and Kanduhulhudhoo power stations, and that the matter is being investigated.

He said that the claims by the power houses of these two islands, that water was put in the oil barrels, will also be filed to the police.