Fuvahmulah remains in protest over its unresolved water crisis, with residents staging fresh demonstrations on Wednesday evening following a whole day of protests due to the temporary suspension of water services earlier this week.
The disruption began Monday afternoon when laboratory tests revealed unsafe levels of contamination in the island’s water network, which serves over 9,000 residents. According to Fenaka Corporation, the suspension was triggered by unauthorized cross-connections made by some customers, violating water safety regulations.
Fuvahmulah Mayor Ismail Rafeeq said the council was informed of the contamination but received no formal written notice. He added that poor monitoring of the system by Fenaka contributed to the escalation, and that one of the island’s three water plants had already been out of operation for days. 
Despite government assurances on Tuesday that the issue would be resolved within hours, residents gathered outside the Fuvahmulah Water Plant to protest the delay. Some demanded the resignation of the president and his cabinet if the crisis remains unresolved.
“We are deprived of one of the most basic services,” protesters shouted, accusing the government of neglecting the island’s needs.
There are 15 people in this household, and this is all they’ve received. How are they supposed to manage? They’re being forced to drink unclean well water.#FuvahmulahWaterCrisis pic.twitter.com/oueDmS3iIN
— Issis (@Aliixxath) November 12, 2025
Presidential Spokesperson Heena Waleed said the pipeline system had been disinfected in accordance with Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) standards. Water storage facilities were also cleaned, flushing began, and water production resumed.
Emergency supplies have been flown to the island, including 500 cases of five-litre bottles, 1,300 cases of 1.5-litre bottles, and 1,000 cases of 500-millilitre bottles, with deliveries now reaching households.
While the people of Fuvahmulah have been critical of the government at this time of crisis, Mayor Rafeeq expressed concern that the distribution was being carried out by Fenaka without involving the city council, which had staff and vehicles ready to assist.