Karachi, June 21, 2024 – Residents of North Karachi’s Sector 5E and UC-8 Faisal have raised urgent concerns over the ongoing water crisis, accusing the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSC) of failing to provide adequate water supplies despite consistent billing.
The local populace reports that a 48-inch water line, designed to carry 17 pounds of water, is currently delivering less than 14 pounds, leaving the community struggling to meet basic needs. This shortfall is severely impacting daily life, as residents are forced to rely on expensive water tankers to supplement their water needs.
“The situation is dire,” said a resident from Urban North Karachi. “Despite paying our monthly water bills, we are not receiving the water we need. If we have to purchase water separately, the KWSC should stop billing us for water tax.”
Residents claim that water intended for their sector is being diverted to other areas, such as UP More and Nagan Chowrangi, exacerbating local shortages. They also report frequent flooding at Nagan Chowrangi Green Bus Stop due to mismanagement, where thousands of gallons of water are wasted due to inadequate wall and pipe maintenance.
“This problem isn’t new; it has been ongoing for 20 days,” another resident complained. “We didn’t even have water during Eid ul Azha, which highlights the board’s incompetence. Our electric bills are skyrocketing due to unnecessary load shedding, and now we face severe water scarcity.”
The frustrations of the residents have led them to appeal to higher authorities, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister of Local Government Sindh Saeed Ghani, KWSC CEO Syed Salahuddin, and Managing Director Asadullah. They demand that the KWSC ensures the water line delivers at least 14 to 15 pounds of water consistently to restore normalcy to their lives.
In their appeal, the residents underscored the critical nature of the situation: “Without water, the necessities of life are being destroyed. We urge the authorities to take immediate action and resolve this crisis.”
The KWSC has yet to respond to these allegations and the residents’ appeals. As the water crisis continues, the citizens of North Karachi’s Sector 5E are left hoping for a swift resolution to avoid further disruption to their daily lives.
