2023-08-28 05:00:13
A young man brushes his teeth, in Koungou (Mayotte), May 27, 2023. PHILIPPE LOPEZ / AFP
It is the worst drought for sixty years, with the exception of that of 1997. The lack of water, in Mayotte, is more and more critical. The first restrictive measures taken in May and July, with cuts in distribution and “water towers” between municipalities, were not enough. Although consumption at the tap has fallen by 25%, the level of the reserves of the two hill reservoirs on the island, the main source of supply for the network, continues to fall.
“Without new measures, these two reservoirs risk being emptied at the end of September. Water distribution will become unpredictable and difficult,” warns Gilles Cantal, the “prefect of water”, appointed in June specifically on this issue. With the catchments, nearly 30,000 cubic meters of water are produced daily, while the needs of the population – 300,000 inhabitants according to INSEE, but rather 500,000 according to several local elected officials due to illegal immigration from Comoros – are estimated at 42,000 cubic meters.
To hold out until the next rainy season, which normally starts in November, new emergency measures will come into effect on September 4. “We ask the Mahorais to make additional efforts”announced Thursday, August 24, the prefect of Mayotte, Thierry Suquet.
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On all seventeen municipalities, the cuts will be extended and last forty-eight hours. They will be spaced out by twenty-four hours during which water will be available. With the exception of the capital of the department, Mamoudzou, the neighboring industrial areas and the island of Petite-Terre, seat of administrative power, which will be affected by five nocturnal cuts during the week (from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.), as well as a thirty-six hour break on weekends. “The objective is to maintain sixty hours of water distribution per week”says Gilles Cantal.
Build up inventory
“It becomes unlivablereacts Saandati Abdou, president of the Association of Women Leaders of Mayotte, very critical of the state. We no longer dare to shower normally. We are recovering water from air conditioners. » Faced with the shortage, the Mahorais resign themselves to building up stocks by filling bottles, buckets, garbage cans to be able to wash or do the dishes. Since July 18, a decree prohibits the increase in the price of bottled water in shops.
Nearly 30 million euros have been committed by the State to support works: repair of leaks, new boreholes, construction of a second desalination plant, installation of storage tanks… But, for the deputy (Les Républicains, LR) Mansour Kamardine, the State has shown too long “of carelessness”. “Water cut off for two days: can you imagine such a situation possible in mainland France? »asks the Mahoran parliamentarian.
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