Karachi's Water Woes: Residents Struggle Amid Crisis

Karachi residents are grappling with a severe water crisis as scorching temperatures grip the city, forcing many to purchase water at exorbitant prices. This dire situation follows a rupture in an 84-inch water main at Karachi University on April 29, which has left households without water for nearly two weeks. Despite Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah's recent directives to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to restore normal supply, progress has been sluggish.

The ongoing delay is attributed to the careful refilling of the repaired pipeline, resulting in a reduced water flow. As of now, Karachi, which usually requires over 1,200 million gallons per day (MGD), is receiving only about 400 MGD, bringing the city's supply down to just 40% of its usual 650 MGD. Residents from several districts, including Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Liaquatabad, and Landhi, are forced to rely on water tankers at increased costs.

Internal sources indicate that while normalcy may return within days, the aging infrastructure of Karachi's water lines remains a concern. These main lines, laid between 1956 and 1971, are prone to frequent ruptures, causing repeated disruptions. The repair efforts, initially guaranteed within 96 hours, involved replacing a 32-foot section, stretching the timeline further.

(With inputs from agencies.)