KARACHI: The persisting water crisis in many parts of the city escalated apparently due to an increase in temperature that crossed 40 degrees centigrade on Tuesday as well as the demand.

Residents of several areas across the city had no option but to buy water on exorbitant prices due to non-availability of tap water.

The worst-affected parts of the city were Malir, Korangi, Landhi, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, New Karachi, North Karachi, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, F.C Area Gulburg, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Site, Saddar, and Burns Road.

Sources in the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation, however, said that the supply of water from Dhabeji pumping station and Hub Canal was normal.

Residents have no option but to buy costly water tankers; KWSC claims supply from Dhabeji, Hub sources is normal

The city, which needs over 1,200 MGD water, has two major sources of supply – the Indus River and the Hub Dam. Indus source through Keenjhar Lake provides about 550 MGD, while the supply from Hub Dam through Hub Canal has considerably reduced from 100 MGD to 70 MGD

Some of the large areas, including but not limited to Orangi, Baldia, Kemari, SITE and New Karachi are dependent upon the water supply from Hub Canal.

Residents of Korangi’s Sector 35-B and J Area said that the water supply remained suspended in their localities for the last one week. “We have been buying water through tankers on hiked prices for the past one month,” said a resident.

Another disgruntled resident said that the authorities were so relentless that they couldn’t ensure smooth water supply during the major mourning days of Muharram.

People in different areas faced a great deal of hardship due to escalated shortage of water as their preparations for “nazar-o-niaz” were badly affected.

Many others were seen fetching drums and cans of water to the sabeels (water stalls) erected to commemorate the thirst of Shuhada-i-Karbala.

A caretaker of a sabeel in Khokrapar said that he had to bring all of potable water from his house to the sabeel and later had to request some water from the neighbours for his family.

Those who were making preparations for cooking traditional haleem on the eve of Ashura, also ran here and there to arrange water.

“We have brought five buckets of potable water from as many house in our lane to prepare haleem tonight,” said a youngster of the Bhittai Colony where water supply remained suspended for the past three days.

Meanwhile, KWSC chief executive officer said in a press statement that the officers and employees of the water utility were engaged in serving the public round the clock.

He said vigorous steps were being taken to improve water supply across the city because providing better water supply and sewerage facilities to the citizens was one of the top priorities of the water utility.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2024