KARACHI: The Karachi Development Authority has increased the daily supply of water to Karachi by seven million gallons, due to a sudden rise in demand on account of the hot season. This was stated by the KDA Chief Engineer, Water Supply, last evening, on his return from Haleji.

He told “Dawn” that Karachi was now getting 80 million gallons of water every day as against 73 million gallons daily some days back. “We are working even on Sundays to meet the sudden increase in demand,” he added. There is, however, no improvement in water-starved areas like Nazimabad, North Karachi, Federal “B” Area where people have still to walk miles to fetch drinking water for their children and womenfolk.

When the attention of the KDA’s Chief Engineer was invited towards the water shortage prevailing in these areas he said: “We are trying our best to improve the situation. We have limitations.”

It was learnt yesterday that quarrels were taking place regularly at the water taps in deficit areas like Federal “B” Area, Nazimabad and North Karachi. The people living in huts are the worst affected.

The conditions in those areas where poor people live are most pathetic. Men, women and children go out in search of water to far-off places. In some areas, those dealing in aerated water are doing roaring business these days.

Though the pipeline near National Stadium which burst on Friday morning has been repaired, PECHS was without water supply for five hours from 1 p.m. yesterday.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2016