Drought Worsens in Marshall Islands

Drought worsens in Marshall Islands

WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) — The Marshall Islands national disaster committee Thursday asked the government to declare an emergency that will release disaster aid funding to improve the public’s access to water.

According to Radio New Zealand, at the moment, the capital, Majuro, has less than seven days supply of water in its main reservoir and residents receive water just two days per week on Monday and Friday mornings and evenings.

That could be reduced to just one day a week if the reservoir’s level, presently at 7.5 million gallons drops to 5 million, said local official.

Fresh water supplies have dwindled since January with the El Nino weather phenomenon causing an extended drought for a country that depends on rain for about 95 percent of its fresh water.

The Marshall Islands consist of two chains of coral atolls, together with more than 1,000 islets, just north of the Equator.

Many of the country’s outer islands are also reporting water shortages.

The government’s patrol boat, normally used for fisheries surveillance has been fitted with an on-board water maker and is standing by to deliver large water containers to remote atolls.

(c) 2007 Xinhua News Agency – CEIS. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.