At least 210,000 families affected by water shortage in Sucre and Nueva Esparta
At least 210,000 families are reportedly affected due to a blockage in a tunnel that has left Sucre and Nueva Esparta without drinking water.
TL;DR
- A magnitude 5.2 earthquake on February 22nd caused a landslide that blocked the Turimiquire dam's transversal tunnel.
- The blockage has left at least 210,000 families in Sucre and Nueva Esparta without potable water.
- The lack of water has impacted labor activities and led to the suspension of classes in Sucre.
- Experts, including geologists and miners, are working on clearing the 12.5 km tunnel; repairs are estimated to take a couple more weeks.
- Contingency measures include sending water tank trucks from other states and imposing restrictions on non-essential water use, such as washing vehicles, filling pools, and large-scale irrigation.
- The Sucre state government declared a "water emergency" on March 5th due to critical structural failure in the water transfer system.