Drinking water crisis deepens in Mohmand Agency

GHALLANAI: The water crisis in Mohmand Agency has deepened as the price for a single water tanker has risen to Rs1,800.

The residents of Ghallanai, the administrative headquarters of Mohmand Agency and surrounding localities, were forced to fetch water in donkey carts and handcarts from far-off springs. Many also fetched water on their backs or on the backs of donkeys.

The water table depleted due to the long dry season in the Mohmand Agency. The non-completion of the water supply schemes, alleged irregularities and lack of proper check and balance system was also blamed for the drinking water crisis in the area.

The development work on the Gandao small dam in Ghallanai had been suspended after a militants’ attack on the site in 2014 and could not be resumed so far. The dam was planned to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs490 million. Once completed the water reservoir would supply drinking water to the 24,000 population in Ghallanai town and surrounding areas.

The construction work on the project could not be resumed despite availability of ample funds.

The office-bearers of various social welfare organisations alleged that the officials of the political administration and the Fata Secretariat in Peshawar were involved in corrupt practices in water supply schemes in Mohmand.