Water crisis deepens as major supply line bursts

Karachi
The 72-inch water pipeline from Dhabeji pumping station burst on Thursday morning resulting in shortage of 50 mgd supply to Karachi and making the already acute water crisis worse.
According to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, the sudden power failure led to stoppage of the water supply to the city from 22 heavy-duty pumps of Dhabeji pumping station as the water back thrust ruptured the major supply line from two points.
The KWSB stated that it would take several hours to restore the normal water supply from Dhabeji.
On the directives of KWSB MD Hashim Raza Zaidi, work on the burst pipeline has started but the engineers say the repair work will take around three days.
However, making the makeshift arrangements from K-III project supply of 11.35 mgd water has been started from Dhabeji pumping station.
The water board authorities have drawn the attention of the K-Electric towards sudden power breakdown, saying unexpected closure causes severe problems, like heavy losses of machinery and equipments, and it takes long time to restore the water supply to the city.
The KWSB MD has asked KE for prior information of power closure so as to avert major losses to water board infrastructure and problems to consumers.