Karachi, the bustling port city, is no stranger to the challenges posed by power outages. However, recent frequent power breakdowns have exacerbated the plight of its residents, severely disrupting the operations of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) and causing significant interruptions in the city’s water supply. A spokesperson for KWSC highlighted the pressing concerns, revealing a grim picture of the city’s current utility crisis.
Persistent Power Outages and Water Supply Disruption
The KWSC spokesperson lamented the incessant power outages at key installations, pointing out the recurring blackout at the Dumlottee Pumping Station just 24 hours after power restoration. Such outages have halted water supply to areas including Malir Cantonment, Khokhrapar, and Memon Goth. While electricity was restored at the North East Karachi Old Pump House, several other major facilities remain powerless, aggravating the water shortages the city faces.
A notable incident occurred at the Dhabeji Pumping Station, where a power failure struck at 10 pm on Thursday. Over 70 hours have passed without a resolution, leaving the station inactive and deepening the crisis. The situation is further complicated by the shutdown of two major pumps at the K-III Pump House due to the ongoing outage, severely affecting water distribution in densely populated areas such as Nazimabad, New Karachi, Landhi, and Korangi.
The spokesperson detailed how these outages have led to a shortfall of approximately 240 million gallons of water over the past 70 hours, exacerbating the daily struggles of residents to meet their water needs.
KWSC Appeals for Restoration and Urgent Action
In response to the mounting crisis, the KWSC has issued a strong appeal to the Karachi Electric (KE) authorities, urging immediate power restoration across all affected installations. This appeal reflects the urgency of the situation and the need to prevent further hardships for the city’s residents.
KE’s Challenges Amid Monsoon and Operational Strain
Meanwhile, KE has responded with a press statement outlining its efforts during Karachi’s first monsoon spell, which spanned nearly three days. The electricity provider’s spokesperson emphasized that KE teams were actively engaged across the city to ensure power restoration and maintain public safety. Despite the vast majority of KE’s 2,100-plus feeders remaining stable, isolated outages were reported due to illegal connections, poor adherence to safety protocols, and infrastructure strain.
KE assured that all cases of outages were promptly addressed, with field teams dispatched despite the ongoing rain. Restoration efforts at key water pumping stations, including Dhabeji and North East Karachi old pumping station, were prioritized, ensuring limited areas received necessary water supplies. The spokesperson noted that NEK-II and NEK-III remained operational throughout, indicating that major supplies to KWSC were maintained from KE’s end. However, a fault observed on the consumer side of the NEK old pump impacted local supply.
Addressing Safety Incidents and Infrastructure Tampering
KE’s spokesperson also extended condolences for safety incidents reported during the monsoon spell, clarifying that five incidents were unrelated to KE infrastructure. He highlighted cases of illegal tampering that created unsafe conditions, such as at Korangi 32-B, where an incident occurred inside consumer premises during the repair of a water motor. Similar incidents in SITE Area, Surjani Town, and New Karachi Sector 11-J were traced to internal wiring faults within respective premises.
Further investigations revealed no current leakage from KE’s system at Manghopir, while in Korangi Sector 9, illegal shifting of a service bracket at under-construction premises led to an unfortunate incident. In Clifton Block 5, an attempted theft of an underground LT cable damaged a feeder pillar box and cable, triggering the incident. The incident in Lyari remains under investigation, with initial findings indicating no connection to KE infrastructure.
Appeals for Public Safety and Collaborative Efforts
As the monsoon activity continues, KE reiterates its appeal to the public to maintain a safe distance from power infrastructure, especially during rains, and to report unsafe conditions via designated channels. The spokesperson emphasized that ensuring public safety requires operational vigilance and citizen responsibility. Strict adherence to safety guidelines and timely coordination between utilities and civic bodies are essential in minimizing risks and maintaining urban resilience.
