City without water for 4th day

72-hour shutdown in the name of repairs worsens

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KARACHI:

The chronic water woes of the metropolitan city continue to worsen in the name of repairs of pipeline as the civic authorities remain apathetic to the public suffering in a city that generates the most revenue for the country. One billion gallons of water could not be supplied to the city over the past four days, according to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC).

The water crisis began following a 72-hour shutdown for "urgent repairs on major pipelines." However, the so-called repairs could not be completed until late into Tuesday night, leading to a delay in the restoration of water supply from the Dhabeji pumping station.

As a result, several neighbourhoods of the city are facing debilitating water shortages, with residents desperately seeking water to meet their basic needs. The crisis has come as a godsend for the "tanker mafia" which is fleecing the citizens who have no option but to order bowsers at exorbitant rates.

Bulk Water Supply Chief Engineer Zafar Palijo claimed the repair work on the pipelines at more than a dozen locations has been completed. The main pipelines are being gradually charged at the Dhabeji pumping station, and the water supply is expected to return to normal by Wednesday, following the opening of water gates during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, he further claimed. Palijo said that he was cognizant of the suffering of people but claimed that KW&SC was working to restore services in the affected areas.

Palijo's assurance aside, the water crisis in Karachi is not new. The chronic issue speaks volumes for the apathy of the provincial government and the municipal authorities towards the suffering of millions of city's residents. Left at the mercy of "tanker mafia", citizens extremely frustrated at recurring water shortages, which occur every 15 to 20 days.

They say that pipeline bursts, power outages, and delays in repairs have become familiar pretexts.