Faced with the drought affecting the island, the Mahorese population has been deprived of water two days out of three since the beginning of September.
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The State will temporarily cover the water bills of residents of Mayotte facing a serious shortage. “Water service subscribers will not have to pay bills for the months of September to December 2023, given the very significant deterioration of the service provided to the public”, announced Thursday October 5 Elisabeth Borne after an interministerial meeting. This support may “continue in January” “if the water has not returned regularly”for his part specified on franceinfo Philippe Vigier, Minister Delegate for Overseas Territories.
The poorest department in France is subject to its worst drought since 1997, while its supply depends largely on rainwater. Rainfall deficits are aggravated by a lack of infrastructure and investment. Faced with this situation, the State has implemented water cuts for several months. These have recently been strengthened. Since September 4, the Mahorese population has been deprived of water two days out of three.
Distribution of bottled water
The government also plans “to gradually expand” until mid-November the distribution of free bottles of water, limited to date to 50,000 of the most vulnerable people, thanks to more deliveries of bottles from Reunion and France. Distribution will thus be expanded “to 110,000-120,000 people”adds Philippe Vigier. Some 300 soldiers and civilians will be deployed to Mayotte to ensure the logistics of this distribution, including 50 education assistants in schools.
In addition, 30 people will strengthen the nursing staff at the Mamoudzou hospital center. “in the coming days”and one “aid device” to businesses affected by these shortages will be put in place “during November”.