Bamako’s Water Crisis Ends After Sabotage Disrupts Power Supply Bamako, Mali – The water supply has been restored to Mali’s capital, Bamako, following a recent sabotage incident that disrupted the power grid, leaving residents without tap water for several days.
The crisis began on Sunday, July 3, when the outage not only knocked out electricity but also halted water distribution, compelling thousands of residents to rely on solar-powered boreholes and neighborhood wells.
An official from the Bamako District Hospital reported that patients had been forced to drink water from the facility’s borehole, which is typically used for hygiene purposes only. Despite the lack of tap water, the hospital advised residents to add bleach to the water from the boreholes to avoid further health issues.
The drinking water utility SOMAGEP confirmed that the outage was a result of sabotage on the high — voltage line that supplies Bamako from the Manantali Dam, a significant hydroelectric facility on the Mali-Mauritania-Senegal border.
The attack coincided with the ongoing security challenges in Mali, including the blockade of key routes leading to the capital by al Qaeda — linked jihadists.
The government of Mali has been working to address the infrastructure challenges, with financial support from international partners.
According to africabusinessinsight. Org, a recent funding injection of approximately 36. 1 billion CFA francs is intended to support the construction of the 225-kilovolt Northern Loop, a high-voltage transmission project aimed at enhancing the capacity, reliability, and resilience of Bamako’s power grid.
The restoration of water supply to Bamako is a short — term relief for residents, but the long-term implications of the incident underscore the need for Mali to invest in and reinforce its infrastructure to withstand future disruptions.
As the country continues to grapple with security challenges and the effects of climate change, the resilience of its power and water systems will be crucial for its stability and development.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
