Dry taps, filthy streets as Hyd's water crisis deepens

46k malaria cases reported in nine months as sewage piles up

HYDERABAD:

In one part of the city, residents queue up for water tankers. In another, foul-smelling water flows from household taps. And across several neighbourhoods, sewage sits stagnant on roads and streets, turning everyday life into a struggle.

The city's long-running water and sewerage crisis remains unresolved, with large areas still facing drinking water shortages while others complain of receiving contaminated water. The worsening sanitation conditions have also coincided with a sharp rise in malaria cases, with 46,183 infections reported across Hyderabad Division during the first nine months of the year, according to Sindh Health Department figures.

For a city sitting beside the Indus River, the irony is difficult to miss. Residents of several riverside areas say they are being forced to rely on water tankers despite the availability of river water. Affected areas include various units of Latifabad, HDA Kohsar Housing Society Phases I and II, Daman Kohsar, Mujahid Colony, Iqbal Colony, American Quarters and Hali Road.

Residents also complain that ageing water pipelines have remained unrepaired for years, resulting in dirty and foul-smelling water reaching homes. Videos purportedly showing contaminated water flowing from taps in affected areas have repeatedly appeared on social media, but residents say the problem remains unresolved. The sewerage crisis has meanwhile spilled onto the city's busiest thoroughfares. Sewage remained stagnant on Qadamgah Maula Ali Road from Saturday morning until night, disrupting commercial activity and making movement difficult for motorists and pedestrians.