Pakistan: Karachi experiences severe water shortage during Ramadan

Pakistan: A sudden power outage on Sunday disrupted the water supply from one of the prime supply lines of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board, adding to the suffering of residents during Ramadan along with an acute water shortage, the worst gas crisis, and power load-shedding in some areas of Karachi, according to Dawn.

The water supply still impacted the city as a whole.

However, Landhi, Korangi, Qauidabad, Bin Qasim, and surrounding districts were the most severely affected areas after a 72-inch diameter line was damaged as a result of K-Electric suspending electricity at 11:05 am (local time) at the Dhabeji pumping station.

People also staged protests in several areas since the tap water in their particular communities wasn’t available. Furious Buffer Zone residents demonstrated in front of the Nazimabad pumping station against the water company, shouting anti-utility slogans and calling for the quick restoration of water service to their neighbourhood.

The locals claimed that there had been no water in their area for the previous three weeks. According to the Dawn story, the locals gave notice that if their area’s water supply was not restored, they would stage a demonstration in front of the KWSB headquarters.

Several locals residents, including those in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Mohammad Ali Society, Surjani Town, New Karachi, Saddar, Defence Housing Authority, Garden and Clifton, have claimed that their areas were without water even before Ramadan.

According to a news source, some of the locals stated that a manufactured water crisis was created in collusion with the water utility personnel, compelling the residents of these areas to purchase water through tankers at a higher price.

Several locals residents, including those in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Mohammad Ali Society, Malir, Surjani Town, Shah Faisal Colony, New Karachi, Saddar, Defence Housing Authority, Garden and Clifton, have claimed that their areas were without water even before Ramadan.

According to a news source, some of the locals stated that a manufactured water crisis was created in collusion with the water utility personnel, compelling the residents of these areas to purchase water through tankers at a higher price.

According to a representative for the water provider, restoration work on the 72-inch line that was damaged by the power outage is currently underway. The water supply to the city continued through alternative lines, he added, and the repair work on the affected line will be finished in the following 24 hours.