SUKKUR, Jan 3: Residents of the city have been facing a shortage of drinking water since the closure of canals on the night of Dec 31.

Although municipal authorities are reported to have been informed about the closure of the canals well in time, no measures were taken to store water for the closure period to avert the shortage.

People of these areas have to fetch water from other areas but the authorities concerned have not taken any notice of their miseries. A drum of water is being sold from Rs50 to Rs100.

The residents have complained that water shortage occurs every year in this season but this year's shortage is the worst. They said this indicated the inefficiency of elected representatives and the city administration as they had failed to take steps to ensure water availability during the canal closure period.