Crisis meeting to face spectre of drought in 10 eastern provinces

Algerian water resources minister Hocine Nassib Wednesday said 10 eastern provinces suffer a lack of drinkable water supply. A meeting will be held with executives and all the concerned partners to set up an annual plan and take a set of measures to avoid “drought spectre.”

The minister called in his executives for a meeting on July 8th to diagnose all problems in water resources sector. A number of measures will be decided to overcome the “drought” situation in 10 eastern provinces.

The minister said dams are 68 percent full. 

He expressed concerns about a possible drought situation which may affect harvest season.

Residents in many eastern provinces expressed anger over “water crisis.” 

In Setif, tens of residents Wednesday took to the street and blocked the National Road 113 to protest against the lack of drinkable water for more than three months. They buy cisterns at more than 1,500 DZ.

Security forces tried to stop the protesters but in vain. Residents called on the prefect to be present to know about their suffering.

Residents in the province of Constantine warned of similar riots as Boumarzouk area has not been provided with water for more than 15 days.