Maldives threatened by water shortage

Faced with the threat of completely running out of water, National Disaster Management Centre has opened the opportunity for private groups to supply emergency drinking water to islands.

Project Director of Disaster Management Centre Hisaan Hassan said that more than sixty islands have reported shortage of water.

Hisaan added that the opportunity to supply water is open now to private groups because, due to the challenges faced in the supply of water, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) carrying out this task alone may result in these islands completely running out of water:

“MNDF provides water from plants in Felivaru and Addu Atoll. Felivaru has certain regulations pertaining to release of water. They release a limited amount, based on how much they are able to produce. So if it’s just MNDF supplying water at this speed, all these islands may completely run out of water.”

Hisaan said that Finance Ministry has been given permission to allow two private groups to supply water.

An announcement made by the Centre says that private groups interested in supplying emergency drinking water to islands are requested to obtain more information from the Centre.

In addition, National Emergency Centre, which was created by Disaster Management Centre in collaboration with MNDF to tackle the problem of water shortage, has also commenced work.

Chief of National Emergency Centre Sergeant Mohamed Didi said that more dhonis are being employed to supply water to all regions of Maldives. Today, water has been supplied to N. Lhohi by MNDF; and private groups will work on supplying water to North, South and central Maldives.

“We will only inform the private groups of the islands in need of water. It is their responsibility to seek water and supply to these islands,” he said.