Water crisis deepens in Pindi amid heatwave

Protests erupt over soaring tanker prices, structural failures

RAWALPINDI:

As temperatures soar and underground water levels continue to drop, Rawalpindi is facing an acute water shortage.

The crisis is being exacerbated by dwindling water reserves in all three major dams supplying the twin cities, as well as frequent breakdowns of ageing tube well motors.

In several areas of Rawalpindi city, the cantonment, and surrounding localities, the water supply has been severely disrupted.

Nearly one out of every three or four tube well motors has burned out, leading to mounting public frustration.

On Saturday, residents took to the streets in protest against the ongoing water shortages and the sharp increase in prices charged by private water tankers.

A large number of protestors blocked Quaid-e-Azam Colony on Ahmadabad Road, chanting slogans against the water crisis.

The protest resulted in a complete traffic standstill, with long queues of vehicles in all directions.

While a significant police presence arrived at the scene, they refrained from intervening due to the intensity of the crowd's anger.

Demonstrators warned that if water supply is not restored within 24 hours and private tanker rates are not reduced, they will stage a complete road blockade on Monday, May 26.

In inner city neighbourhoods such as Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Committee Chowk, and Arya Mohalla, the situation is dire, as tube well motor failures have led to a total halt in water distribution for the past two days.

Local residents have announced plans to stage a sit-in outside the WASA office.

Meanwhile, private water tankers have hiked their prices to alarming levels as large tankers are now being sold for Rs3,500, medium for Rs3,000, and small for Rs2,500.

Residents, including Faizullah, Nayab Khan, and Ibrahim Abbasi, have also alleged that these tankers are delivering 25 per cent less water than their stated capacity.