By Borkena Desk
Toronto, Borkena – Dire Dawa is facing a critical drinking water shortage during its hottest period of the year (from March to June), according to a DW Amharic report.
The report says the city normally experiences a 50 percent shortfall in the amount of water needed to meet residents’ demand. Water supply services have been distributing water on a rotating schedule, which city authorities say has been implemented equitably.
The shortage experienced in recent weeks has become severe.
The Dire Dawa City Administration’s Water Supply Authority attributes the recent disruption to strong winds that damaged water pumps. According to the authority, the damage has been compounded by frequent power outages, further disrupting the city’s water supply.
Ato Adamu, a resident of the city, told DW Amharic that the “disruption of water supply has complicated life in the city.”
Those engaged in the hotel business are also facing difficult circumstances.
Ato Ayalew, who operates a hotel, told DW Amharic that hotel owners are paying more than 5,000 birr for a single water tanker, which does not last even two days.
Mohammed Mussie, CEO of the Dire Dawa Water Supply Service, said efforts to repair the damaged pumps are underway. However, he cautioned that water supply disruptions could continue as windy weather continues to affect the electricity supply needed to operate the pumps.
Mohammed Mussie called on residents to cooperate and remain patient as the city administration works to resolve the problem. He also advised residents who currently have access to water to use it wisely.
Residents have previously called on the federal government and the Dire Dawa City Administration to work together to resolve the recurring water supply problem.
Dire Dawa is one of the hottest cities in Ethiopia. Temperatures can reach as high as 35°C in July, making reliable access to drinking water especially critical during periods of extreme heat.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com