India has responded to the Maldives government's appeal for drinking water after it was cut off to more than 100,000 residents in the capital, Male, because of a fire in the city's water treatment plant.

The capital is located on a low-lying island in the Indian Ocean that has no natural water source and depends entirely on treated sea water.

The government provided bottled drinking water free of charge but the people struggled without enough water for washing.

Minister Mohamed Shareef said the government has declared a crisis situation. He also said that it may take days to resume operations in the treatment plant because destroyed parts need to be brought in from abroad.

Vice president Maldives, Mohamed Jameel Ahmed ‏tweeted: Our deepest appreciation to PM @narendramodi & Govt. of India for the urgent aid provided due to #MaleWaterCrisis.