Pindi residents face severe water scarcity

With the onset of summer, a severe water shortage has gripped both the city and cantonment areas of Rawalpindi, as soaring temperatures have caused tube-well motors to burn out and malfunction, disrupting water supply across dozens of neighbourhoods.

Officials and residents say underground water levels have dropped to nearly 800 feet, causing many ageing government-installed tube wells dating back to the 1990s to begin drying up.

Repeated power outages and unannounced load-shedding have further compounded the crisis, frequently suspending water supply from operational tube wells Private water tanker operators have sharply increased prices amid soaring demand, with small tankers now costing Rs1,500 and large tankers between Rs3,000 and Rs3,300. Residents seeking cheaper government tanker services are reportedly receiving deliveries only after waiting two to three days Several old localities across Rawalpindi and cantonment areas - including Sadiqabad, Dhoke Hassu, Pirwadhai, Ratta Amral, Tench Bhatta, Chaklala and adjoining neighbourhoods - are facing acute shortages, forcing women, men and children to fetch water from distant areas.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the prolonged closure and breakdown of water filtration plants across the city, leaving the supply of clean filtered water completely suspended for the past two months. Residents say the Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority has yet to restore the facilities. Citizens have begun warning of protests over the worsening situation.