Mayotte is experiencing its most severe drought in 60 years, with the exception of 1997. The water shortage is becoming increasingly critical in the French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. The initial restrictive measures taken in May and July, involving supply cuts and "water rotations" between towns, have not been enough. Although tap water consumption has fallen by 25%, the water level in the island's main hillside reservoirs, the network's main source, is continuing to fall.

"Without fresh measures, these two reservoirs could be empty by the end of September. Water distribution will become unpredictable and challenging," said Gilles Cantal, the water prefect appointed in June specifically to deal with this issue. The reservoirs produce nearly 30,000 cubic meters of water daily, whereas the population's needs – 300,000 residents according to INSEE, but closer to 500,000 according to several local officials due to illegal immigration from the Comoros – are estimated at 42,000 cubic meters per day.

In order to hold out until the next rainy season, which normally starts in November, new emergency measures will come into force on Monday, September 4. "We are asking the people of Mayotte to make an extra effort," said Thierry Suquet, the prefect of Mayotte, on August 24.

The water cuts will be expanded in all 17 towns and will last for 48 hours. They will be spaced 24 hours apart, during which time water will be available. The only exceptions are the department's capital, Mamoudzou, the neighboring industrial zones and the island of Petite-Terre, the seat of administrative power. These locations instead will be affected by five night-time cuts on weekdays, from 4 pm to 8 am, as well as a 36-hour cut at weekends. "The aim is to maintain 60 hours of water distribution per week," said Cantal.

"It's becoming unbearable," said Saandati Abdou, president of the organization Femmes Leaders de la Vie Publique à Mayotte (Women Leaders in Public Life in Mayotte), which is highly critical of the state. "We no longer dare to shower normally. We're at the point of collecting water from air conditioners." Faced with the scarcity, the people of Mayotte are reluctantly stockpiling by filling bottles, buckets and trash cans to be able to wash themselves or do the dishes. Since July 18, a decree has prohibited increases in the price of bottled water in shops.

The state has paid out nearly €30 million to support work on repairing leaks, drilling new boreholes, building a second desalination plant and installing storage tanks. Nevertheless, according to MP Mansour Kamardine (Les Républicains, right-wing), it has been "negligent" for too long. "Water cut off for two days: Can you imagine such a situation in mainland France?" asked the Mahorais parliamentarian.

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