KARACHI, Jan 25: An acute water shortage continued to persist in various parts of the city for the last three consecutive days.

The hard-hit areas include Kharadar, Pakistan Chowk, Clifton’s Block 2, different sectors of Orangi, Baldia, parts of Shershah and the SITE area.

Criticising the concerned officials of the city government’s water and sanitation department for not taking measures to restore normal supply in their localities, residents of Pakistan Chowk and Kharadar demanded of the city Nazim to direct the officials to immediately restore the supply as in the absence of piped water they have no choice but to drink brackish water from wells.

Similarly, residents of Orangi’s affected sectors complained that although their localities either often remained dry for eight to nine days or got scant supply, the officials concerned had not yet managed to ensure that their schedule of supply which came after every 72 hours was implemented in letter and spirit.

Accusing the officials of the water and sanitation department of creating an artificial water shortage, Nazimeen and councillors of different union councils of Orangi, alleged that the sale of water through private tankers and donkey-carts had increased manifold following the curtailment of their water-supply timings.

According to them, water through the donkey-cart is worth Rs70 and 80, while the 1000-gallon tanker is being sold for Rs400.

The localities which have been experiencing water shortage since October 2002, when the water supply to Orangi and other parts of former district West came to an end, include Township’s Block ‘L’, Islam Chowk, Ali Nagar, Sabri Chowk, Nishan-i-Haider Chowk, Pakistan Bazaar, Benazir Colony, Muhammad Mustafa Colony, Aziz Nagar and Ghausia Baloch Colony.