Awami Colony is a 40-year-old settlement in UC-9, Landhi Town. Its estimated
population is around 5,000. Due to its proximity with the Korangi Industrial Area, several generations of labourers are settled here. Despite its small size, it contains residents coming from the NWFP, central and lower Punjab and the Northern Areas. Water supply to this area originates from the Gharo Pumping Station. Along the industrial area, it is pumped up into a 24-inch main. After crossing Singer Chowrangi, it reaches Awami Colony through a 4-inch distributor.
Most of the households have taken 1 or 2 connections. Housing topology comprise pucca and semi-pucca houses of one or two storeys. Almost every house has an underground water tank. While most households reported a plastered water proof surface of the underground tanks, spot evidence show that many houses had only ordinary masonry styled tanks with ample possibility of seepage. Following the convention, water is pumped up to overhead tanks. When the water supply becomes scarce, people use suction pumps to draw water into their household storage. For ensuing adequate storage, plastic containers, used drums of chemicals and aluminium tanks are also employed. Sometimes stored water is kept for weeks before consumption. The potential for bacterial contamination multiplies in such cases. Apart from domestic chores, this water is also mixed in the milk supply by the nearby cattle pan owners.
The tragedy struck on the morning of September 16. People smelt pungent and unbearable smell in water. However, it had also happened in the past, they continued with their daily routine work. Soon thereafter, mass scale stomach illness, dysentery and dehydration spread. The relatively stable people contacted Edhi ambulances. Chronic cases were shifted to the Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi — and five and other health care facilities. The reports of casualties began in the afternoon. As an immediate response, the KWSB closed the connections.
The episode certainly demands a detailed investigation. However, preliminary fact findings revealed that the intra-locality network was bad. Poor quality pipes were used some of which were completely worn out. Operation and maintenance were completely neglected. Scores of illegal and broad diameter connections were taken by people. Due to political pressures of certain local activists, no corrective action was taken. Sewerage water, which was found stagnant along nearby localities, was mixed with drinking water. This mixing became more rapid due to the sucking action of multiple suction pumps. The phenomenon is not confined to Awami Colony. It has already spread to Dawood Challi, Sherpao Colony and other nearby localities. Several squatters are on the threshold of an impending disaster. It may be pointed out that water in these locations is likely to contain both bacteriological and chemical/industrial pollutants. Thus the localities face grave dangers. Area residents do not believe that any improvement will occur on a long-term basis despite the heavy and tragic death toll. They think that the attention of political patrons of the city would soon evaporate after gaining some political mileage from this event.
The initiative of remedial action rests upon the city authorities to come up with a sustainable option for low-income areas that are vulnerable to such disasters. — NA and M. Younus Khan
