MORE than 100 residents of Yasawa-i-Rara are facing difficulties accessing drinking water as prolonged dry conditions cause some of the community’s nine boreholes to dry up.
Village representative Ratu Asaeli Vatanitawake said the community was struggling to secure enough water for drinking, cooking and other household needs.
“With the current dry weather, some of our boreholes are now drying up, and we are facing serious challenges accessing drinking water,” he said.
Mr Vatanitawake said the community had relied on boreholes for its water supply since residents returned to the village in 1974 following an earlier relocation.
“There used to be only one water source here. However, after the 1952 cyclone, the villagers were relocated,” he said.
“It was a great blessing when we returned in 1974 and were told that we could relocate back to the village. Since then, we have established nine boreholes, which we continue to use today.”
Mr Vatanitawake said the community was now relying on limited water supplies.
“We are now relying on water carting, with the Government assisting us by providing a water pump that we are using.”
He said villagers were helping one another by sharing whatever water was available.
“We continue to help one another by sharing whatever water we have, even if it is just one container or one bucket.
“I am also appealing to the Government to increase water supplies during this period, particularly drinking water, as our current supplies may not be sufficient for the coming months.”
