KARACHI, May 19: Several parts of the city have been deprived of water for the last five days in the hot and sultry weather, with no choice but to buy private tankers at exorbitant rates.

The hard-hit areas include different cooperative housing societies such as Al-Hamra Society, Jinnah Society, Bangalore Town, Mohammad Ali Society, parts of Adamjee Nagar, Dhoraji Colony, Bahadurabad Block 3, Maqbool-i-Aam Society and its adjoining localities.

Suspecting some foul play in the water distribution system of societies zone, residents of the affected localities alleged that the concerned officials of the KWSB often created artificial water shortages in their localities only to give a boost to the sale of private tankers with whome they were hand in glove.

They also complained that the concerned officials of the KWSB not only suspend the supply of their localities for four to five days after every 18 or 20 days, but also kept on changing timings and duration of their supply.

Taking undue advantage of the persisting water shortage private tankers continue to do a roaring business, charging between Rs500 and 600 per tanker in these localities.

Complaints of persisting water shortage have also been received from the residents of several areas of Malir, Khokarapar, Muslimabad, Catholic Colony, Clifton’s Block 2, different sectors of North Karachi, Buffer Zone, Orangi’s Sector 11 1/2 and parts of Baldia and Surjani townships.

The residents of affected localities said although they were supplied water after every 72 hours, the KWSB officials did not bother to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply even during their turn of receiving water, thus they had either to buy costly private tankers or consume subsoil unhygienic water at the cost of their health.