Pending dues: Karachi staring at water crisis as KESC starts curbing power supply to KWSB

KWSB says power supply has been cut off whereas KESC maintains they are only cutting power for four hours a day.

KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) stopped power supply to five pumping stations of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) on Thursday, putting the metropolis at risk of a water crisis.

According to the KWSB spokesperson, KESC stopped supplying electricity to KWSB's five pumping stations.

This created 180 million gallons of water shortage in the city, which rose to 360 million gallons on Friday.

The KWSB too has cautioned consumers to prepare themselves for possible water shortage on Friday.

“Citizens might not have water for the Juma prayers. KESC is snatching every citizen's basic need,” said the spokesperson.

The KESC, however, defended its decision by claiming that they are conducting only four-hours-a-day of load shedding at the pumping stations because it has continued to default on payments of outstanding dues, which have accumulated to Rs 25 billion.

The Sindh High Court on 28 Feb 2013 permitted KESC to disconnect KWSB due to non-payment. However, even now we are only doing 4 hrs of LS.

— KE (@KElectricPk) November 21, 2013

It has also said that the load shedding will be increased if the KWSB continues to default on payments.

During the past few weeks, KESC claims to have served the KWSB several notices for payment of dues.