KARACHI, Oct 28: Normal water supply to the city was disrupted on Monday afternoon by a major power breakdown.

A KWSB official said that 70mgd could not be supplied to the city as electricity supply was suspended on Monday at 12.35pm.

According to Suleiman Chandio, deputy managing director for technical services in the KWSB, it was the worst crisis the city faced as the electricity breakdown rendered most of the pumping stations inoperative, causing suspension of water supply to major parts of the city.

The breakdown also disrupted sewerage system in some parts of the city, including Orangi Town, Mr Chandio told Dawn, adding that blaming the KWSB for every water problem was not correct.

“We should also take other factors into consideration.”

He said the KWSB had taken all necessary steps for normal water supply during Ramazan.

“The KWSB pays Rs1.25 billion every year to the KESC so that power supply to the water installations is not disrupted and the city receive normal water supply.”

A press release issued by the KWSB said due to a major power breakdown several pumping stations, including Dhabeji, Pipri, Gharo, Dumlottee, Sakhi Hasan, Future Colony, Khwaja Ajmer Nagri, Board Office, Shah Faisal Colony, Saudabad, Banaras, Bawani Chali, LSR, Ninth Mile, Kidney Hill and some others, remained inoperative.

As a result of suspension of power supply, the press release added, the water supply to the city was badly affected. At the same time it claimed that the KWSB took immediate steps and restored normal supply to the city.

KESC: A KESC spokesman said that as a result of a major breakdown the water supply system to the city was affected. The breakdown was caused by the tripping of an extra high tension (EHT) line between the Bin Qasim Power and Pipri Gird stations.