KARACHI, June 13: The city on Monday suffered a shortfall of around 12 million gallons of water in the wake power failures that occurred at Dhabeji pumping station (Phase-II and IV). According to KWSB sources, power failure at both the pumping stations went off at 1.30pm and was restored at 4pm on Monday and as a result of which the city received a short supply of water to the tune of about 12mgd.

Several parts of the city on Monday either went without water or received water with a low pressure, thereby forcing the residents of the affected localities to either purchase private tankers at exorbitant rates or consume sub-soil unhygienic water.

The hard-hit localities included Ranchore Line, Clifton’s Block 2, Malir, Model Colony, Mehmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, Kharadar, Mithadar, Haqani Chowk and parts of Federal B’ Area’s Block 14.

According to residents of Ranchore Line, a number of apartment buildings situated at Pankha Lane near Sabri Masjid are deprived of water for the last 40 days in the current hot weather.

Deploring that in the absence of piped water they have no choice but to drink sub-soil unhygienic water at the cost of their health, they urged KWSB managing director and chief engineer to direct the officials concerned to restore their supply without any further delay.

Similarly, residents of Clifton’s Block 2 regretted that although they had been experiencing acute water shortage since advent of summer season, the KWSB officials concerned had not yet take measures to restore normal water supply and as such they were forced to purchase private tankers at exorbitant rates.

RESTRUCTURING: The KWSB with a view to introduce area-based management system has selected one of the most affected areas of the city i.e. Lyari Town as a test case.