MINGORA: The residents of Mingora and its suburbs complained of severe water scarcity, saying supply of water to the area had been suspended for the last three months.

The residents of Rang Mohallah, Rajaabad, Gumbat Maira, Malookabad, Pattaney and Barama areas said that they had been facing severe water shortage since the start of summer season.

“Every summer brings us heat and shortage of water and this is the season in which we are not only disturbed by the scorching heat but also by the water shortage,” said Amirzeb, a resident of Cheena Mohallah in Malookabad.

He said that it was the third month that they faced problem of water shortage. He said that sometimes WSSC supplied water to the area but only for 10 to 15 minutes and that they could fill a single bucket in such a short duration.

Ask govt to take concrete steps to resolve the issue

Amirzeb said that he fetched water on his motorcycle from the Swat River daily. He said that neither their MPA nor their district councillor listened to their complaints.

The residents said that although WSSC and municipal administration installed pipelines in their areas but they were good for nothing as there was no water in the pipes. They said that they arranged water on their own but paid bills.

Mohammad Rasool Khan, an elderly resident of Rang Mohallah, said that all the water wells got dried in his area and WSSC suspended water supply. “Even there is a shortage of water in mosques and we don’t have enough water for ablution,” he said and demanded of the government to release water in the pipeline.

Mohammad Ali, another resident of Malookabad, said that he hired a donkey to fetch water. “Last week my mother died and hundreds of relatives and friends came for condolence. I had to attend the guests and fetch water. Consequently, I had to hire a donkey to bring water for guests and other use,” he said.

The residents said that all the wells in their areas dried and they had to bring water from the Swat River or other places. They said that the water supply pipelines were installed in the drains that spread waterborne diseases.

They demanded of the government to take concrete steps for supplying water to the area as they were facing problems.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2019