LANDI KOTAL: Water supply to several localities of Landi Kotal including some government installations remained suspended for more than two weeks owing to damaged pipelines and low voltage of electricity.

Residents of Khugakhel, the most affected locality, said that the major pipeline supplying water from Landi Khana near Torkham to them was damaged by flesh floods when the region was hit by torrential rain.

They said that the electric water pumping machine at Landi Khana could not be run to its full capacity owing to low voltage of electricity. They added that they faced acute shortage of drinking water.

The local people said that they bought water from private tankers at increased prices to cater to their needs.

The water shortage also hit hard district headquarters hospital, the main bazaar in Landi Kotal, government degree college, government higher secondary school for girls, some nearby private schools and even parts of the army camp.

Shopkeepers at the bazaar said that they had to pay Rs100 for one cooler full of water for their daily consumption while patients and their attendants at the hospital had to bring water for their personal consumption from their homes.

Doctors said that they pooled money to arrange for a private tanker to supply water to their homes and clinics.

Public health officials said that they were working to repair the damaged pipes but could not ensure full voltage of electricity to the huge pumping machine at Landi Khana.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2019