Six days and no end in sight to Karachi’s water crisis

80-90% of city faces water shortage as supply from Dhabeji pumping station could not be restored

KARACHI:

The debilitating water crisis continues to escalate following the malfunction of three major supply lines at the Dhabeji pumping station a few days ago which disrupted supplies to approximately 80 to 90 per cent of the metropolitan city. The situation has left the millions of Karachiites at the mercy of private water suppliers who charge at will for a bowser.

Officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) have assured the public that the situation will soon return to normalcy after the repair work on the damaged pipelines is completed. As per reports, the Dhabeji pumping station faced a major disruption when three of its pipelines burst due to a power breakdown. Despite ongoing repair efforts, the city has been grappling with water supply disruption for six days.

Karachi depends on nine water pipelines, each with a 72-inch diameter, originating from the Dhabeji pumping station. The malfunction of three of these lines has resulted in widespread water supply problems. Several areas, including Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Karachi, PIB Colony, Orangi Town, Baldia Town, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Liaquatabad, Buffer Zone, Bahadurabad, Saddar, and Clifton, have been severely affected by water shortages.

The crisis has forced residents to rely on water bowsers, and even the supply from two government hydrants has been significantly impacted. KWSB officials have stated that repairs on the three lines are underway, and water supply is expected to return to normal in the coming days.

Read City faces serious water crisis after Dhabeji pipeline burst

Meanwhile, a KWSB spokesman said that the PRCC 33-inch diameter line will be replaced with an MS 33-inch diameter line near the Malir Expressway on Haleji Conduit on Friday. Due to this, water supply will be suspended for 36 hours in the areas related to the New and Old Pump House at the Gharo pumping station. The line replacement work will take place from 12 noon on Thursday to 12 noon on Sunday. Consequently, water supply will be suspended in Bin Qasim Town, Landhi Town, Shah Faisal Town, PAF, and Pakistan Navy Staff Colony at Karsaz. The spokesperson advised citizens to store water and use it judiciously during this period to avoid any inconveniences.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2023.