Residents in Ibb Governorate are grappling with a severe new water crisis, with reports indicating that the Houthi militia has disrupted water supplies to numerous neighborhoods in the provincial capital for weeks, and in some cases, over a month. Local sources in the Al-Mashnah district reported that areas such as Al-Rakiza and Al-Manzar have been without water for an extended period. Residents are demanding an end to their hardship and the dismissal of the Water Corporation's director due to the persistent lack of service. The situation is exacerbated by the difficulty water trucks face in accessing some residential areas due to narrow streets and closely built homes. Furthermore, residents have noted that when water is supplied, it is often for only a few hours and does not reach household storage tanks, which are typically located on rooftops. This requires significant water pressure and extended operating hours to ensure adequate supply to homes. The populace has accused the Houthi-controlled Water Corporation in Ibb of orchestrating this crisis, citing their deliberate disregard for repeated appeals. They have also complained about the high cost of water purchased from private wells via water tankers, which incurs substantial expense. In a related development, inhabitants of the Old City of Ibb have reported that public water supplies have become contaminated with sewage. These residents hold the Water Corporation fully responsible for this alarming situation. Complaints from the Al-Jabbana Al-Sufla and Al-Wusta neighborhoods reveal that residents were shocked to discover sewage mixed with the water being supplied to their homes. The water intended for domestic use now carries foul odors, posing a significant public health risk that necessitates immediate intervention. Residents are calling for an urgent investigation, accountability for those involved, an immediate halt to the contaminated supply, and swift repairs to the system, threatening further escalation if their demands are ignored. |
