Water in short supply in many islands – NDMC

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Many islands of Maldives are facing drinking water shortage due to low rainfall experienced across the country, National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) has said.

National Disaster Management Center revealed that so far a total of 8 islands have asked for fresh water and that more islands are expected to follow suit. In the atolls, rain water is collected in large tanks and used mainly for drinking and cooking. In the easterly monsoon rainfall is scarce causing severe fresh water shortages in the atolls.

According to National Disaster Management Center islands which have requested for fresh water include some islands of Raa, Noonu, Dhaalu and Male’ atolls.

Deputy Director General of the center, Moosa Ali Kaleyfaanu said that work is underway to provide fresh water to islands which have asked for it. In order to better address the matter in future, arrangements are being made to install desalination plants in the center’s dhonis. He further said announcements have been made to seek out interested parties to supply fresh water to islands in north and south of Maldives.

The people of the atolls have experienced water shortages in easterly monsoon for a number of years and in previous years, vessels of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) have supplied water to many islands on a voluntary basis.

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