MINGORA: The excessive loadshedding has caused severe water shortage in parts of Mingora forcing people to fetch water from springs and rivers in distant areas.

Among such areas are Malookabad, Rang Mohallah, Barama, Rajabad, Gumbat Maira, Afsarabad, Rasha Gatta, Bhattai, Dangram, Khawajabad, Faizabad, Upper Shahadara, where suspension of electric supply for long hours daily and that too without schedule has been reported.

The poor people fetch water on their shoulders, while others rent vehicles for the purpose.

“This is the third month in a row that the municipal administration is not supplying water to us. When we contact them, they blame the issue on the prolonged power outages saying the machines meant to pump water out of wells are run by electricity,” said Mohammad Amin, of Malookabad area.

He said he regularly used van to fetch water from the River Swat in pots for domestic use.

“Those who can’t afford to rent vehicles have to cover long distances on foot to carry water home,” he said.

Faisal Khan, a sixth grader from the area, said he fetched water from a spring daily after school hours.

“When I come back from school, my duty is to take water from a distant spring. I repeat the exercise thrice though it is tiresome and painful,” he said.

Another local schoolchild said she carried water home from a distance of over one kilometer.

“I always pray for smooth electric supply so that I could get rid of the tedious work of fetching water on foot,” she said.

Habib Rahim, of Upper Shahadara area, said in the past, the local authorities would arrange for generators to run water pumping machines and therefore, the step should be taken at present too to mitigate the people’s misery.

When contacted, local MPA Fazal Hakim said water shortage would be addressed soon and that too permanently.

He said he had taken steps to ensure the smooth running of machines for pumping water out of wells.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2015

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