The village of Takerboust, located in the commune of Aghbalou, has been experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The extreme weather conditions, combined with a long-standing water shortage, have made life unbearable for residents. A widespread power outage has further exacerbated the situation, leaving residents without electricity, refrigeration, or ventilation. The outage has had a significant impact on local businesses, with many reporting substantial financial losses.
The power outage was caused by defective underground electrical cables, which were replaced by Sonelgaz services. However, residents claim that the cables are not the only factor contributing to the power issues in the village. The existing transformers are also being blamed for the frequent power outages and voltage drops. According to the mayor of Aghbalou, reports have been submitted to Sonelgaz to reinforce the electrical network, which has been overloaded, particularly in the Tajemaht neighborhood.
The power outage has had a devastating impact on local businesses, with many perishable goods, such as dairy products, meat, and eggs, being destroyed due to the lack of refrigeration. The owners of a local supermarket and butcher shops have reported significant losses. The situation has been further complicated by the fact that the village has struggled with paying electricity bills for several years, leading to a long-standing dispute with Sonelgaz.
Despite efforts by Sonelgaz to address the issue, the power outage persists, and residents are struggling to cope with the extreme heat. The lack of electricity has made it difficult for residents to charge their mobile phones, and many are finding it hard to access basic services. The situation has been further exacerbated by the fact that the village has been unable to secure a suitable location for a new, more powerful transformer.
According to local residents, Sonelgaz had requested a plot of land to build a new transformer, but the project was delayed due to negotiations with landowners. Although a site was eventually found, the project has been put on hold due to technical issues. As a result, residents are facing another hot summer without a stable electricity supply or access to clean water.
The mayor of Aghbalou has acknowledged the challenges faced by the village and has submitted reports to Sonelgaz to address the issue. However, with the heatwave persisting, residents are bracing themselves for another difficult summer. The lack of electricity and water has had a significant impact on daily life, and residents are calling for urgent action to resolve the crisis.
The situation in Takerboust highlights the challenges faced by many rural communities in Algeria, where infrastructure and services are often inadequate. Despite billions of dollars being allocated to improve the water and electricity supply, many villages continue to struggle with basic services. As the summer months approach, residents of Takerboust can only hope that the situation will improve soon.
Key points
- The power outage in Takerboust was caused by defective underground electrical cables and overloaded transformers.
- The lack of electricity has had a significant impact on local businesses, with many reporting substantial financial losses.
- The situation in Takerboust highlights the challenges faced by many rural communities in Algeria, where infrastructure and services are often inadequate.
