KARACHI, May 8: Various parts of the city continued to experience acute water shortage for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, compelling the residents of the water-starved localities to buy private tankers at exorbitant rates.

The hard-hit areas include Korangi’s ‘K’ Area, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Pir Bukhari Colony, several sectors of North Karachi, Orangi and Baldia Townships, Pir Bukhari Colony, situated near old Sabzi Mandi’s Edhi Centre and Clifton’s Block 2.

Residents of the affected localities complained that non- availability of water during the persisting hot and dry weather has made their lives miserable, thereby leaving no choice for them but to drink subsoil unhygienic water at the cost of their health.

Meanwhile, water supply to the residents of over two dozen housing complexes of Gulistan-i-Jauhar’s Block 19 could not be restored even after a lapse of three weeks.

Water supply to their apartment buildings was stopped more than 20 days back following the closure of their locality’s supply line. Since then they have been running from pillar to the post to get their supply restored.

Residents of the affected apartment buildings said that although the KWSB officials had visited their locality couple of days ago, they had not yet restored the supply.

The affected apartment buildings include Shumail Gardens, Crystal Homes, Park Avenue, Owais Homes, Munir Fountain, Munir Arcade, Gulshan Bungalows, Rahat Arcade, Welcome Terrace, Supreme Castle, Al-Rauf Park, Ahramish Homes and Sweet Homes.

Taking undue advantage of the water shortage, private water tankers continue to do a roaring business in the water-starved localities.

Gabopat villages: Over a dozen villages in union council of Gabopat, Keamari Town, are facing worst shortage of potable water, the residents complained.

During a visit to the area, it was observed that ponds and streams, which were the only source of water for the area, had either dried up or water level had dropped to an extremely low level.

It was witnessed that men, women and children walked miles daily for fetching water as the nearest mountain springs had gone dry due to hot weather.

The worst-affected villages included Abdullah Goth, Shaikh Goth, Jorak Goth, Kachela Goth, Ramazan Goth, Chattra, Kaka Goth, Deh Gond Pass, Deh Lal Bakar and Mubarak Goth.

The Gabopat union council has a population of 80,000 people and is spread from Hub River to Mubarak village and majority of people living here have remained deprived of all basic facilities and most of them depend on fishing or cultivation for their livelihood.