Lack of concern?: Water scarcity enters fourth day in Gilgit

‘Flashfloods occur every year but the water authority didn’t make any effort to avert the crisis’.

GILGIT:

Gilgit residents have lost their patience and hold the government responsible for the water crisis which entered its fourth day on Sunday.

“The crisis hits the town every year but the government fails to find a solution to the problem,” said Nizamuddin, a senior Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader.

On Thursday, flashfloods swept away the main water channel and pipelines in Kargah valley, suspending water supply to the city. Authorities had said alternative arrangements were being made to temporarily restore the water supply, but nothing has been done as yet.

Nizamuddin accused officials of the public works department of corruption and said they awarded tenders to corrupt and inept contractors. “There is not a single drop of water to drink in the town but the authorities refuse to do anything about it.”

Nasir Ali, a resident, questioned the recruitment of hundreds of employees in the Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) and demanded the government to restore the supply. “There are hundreds of employees who draw salaries but disappear when they are needed,” he said.



Public works secretary Faisal Zahoor acknowledged Wasa officials were partially responsible for worsening the problem. “The issue of flashfloods occurs every year in Kargah valley but Wasa didn’t make any serious efforts to avert the crisis,” said Zahoor, who was recently transferred to the department. He also agreed Wasa was overstaffed and vowed to downsize it soon.

Owners of water tankers have also taken advantage of the ensuing crisis by jacking up the price to Rs2,000 per trip. Those who cannot afford these tankers are seen wandering around town with jerrycans in search of water.

The shortage has also affected the tourism industry, especially hotels. “It’s very difficult to ensure uninterrupted water supply to guests staying in the hotel,” said a hotel owner.

In Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), glaciers begin to melt as temperatures rise, triggering flashfloods. The water level in lakes and rivers also increases May onwards as the summer heat sets in.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2013.