FOUR districts in Yasawa have been identified as the most affected by the prolonged dry spell impacting water sources in the Western Division.
The districts of Nacula, Naviti, Yasawa and Viwa have 23 villages and a population of about 5000 people relying on water sources that are starting to dry up. The shortage is also affecting eight nursing stations, 10 primary schools, two secondary schools and two infant schools.
One affected source is a dam supplying water to the villages of Kese and Muaira in Naviti.
Kese Village headman Rusiate Buli said 72 households in Kese and about 40 in Muaira depended on the dam, which was rapidly reaching low levels.
“We sent our request to Government for water supply to be brought to our villages and the government stations,” he said.
“For Kese, we asked for 100,000 litres of water and 50,000 litres for the government station. The dam is drying up. Once that is gone, we get water from a well, but we don’t know how long that will last.”
Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru reassured villagers from Nacula, Naviti, Yasawa and Viwa that assistance was on its way.
“I have been assured by the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon Mosese Bulitavu, that assistance is being arranged for the affected communities,” he said.
