Two women injured in demonstrations over water shortages in Khartoum state

September 9, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – At least two women were injured Wednesday as police dispersed demonstrations in a residential neighbourhood in the Sudanese capital, triggered by water shortages.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan tribune that police fired tear-gas at a group of women in al-Fitaihab- al-Shigla, west of Khartoum, who blocked a major public transport route.

According to those eyewitnesses, two women were injured and were rushed to hospital.

That area has suffered for months from water shortages, and the citizens’ frequent complaints were to no avail.

Several neighbourhoods in the capital have suffered from water shortages. Frustrated residents of al-Sahafa, al-Azhari, Jebra, and al-Kalaklaat neighbourhoods had to buy water at 35-50 pounds per barrel.

Hundreds of citizens took to the streets in protest until the supply gradually improved in some parts but others are still suffering acute shortage.

An official at Khartoum State had earlier admitted that some neighbourhoods in Khartoum locality suffered complete disruption of water supply which he attributed to the stoppage of Souba water plant.

The official explained that the State authorities put Khartoum North water plant at full capacity and used some auxiliary wells in the locality to make up for the shortage. Furthermore, water in tankers was distributed to citizens.

The outage at Khartoum North plant, which produces 100 thousand cubic meters per day, resulted in complete rupture of water supply to residential neighbourhoods in east and south of Khartoum.

(ST)