Pindiites facing water shortage due to power outages

Rawalpindi : Electricity loadshedding coupled with hot weather has affected the water supply system of the city and although there is enough water in the Rawal and Khanpur dams to meet the city’s requirements for the next three months but excessive loadshedding is making it hard for the citizens to get their water tanks filled on time, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood said in an emergency meeting held here on Thursday.

He said that the areas where water was supplied through tubewells including Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Mangtal, Khayabanp-e-Sir Syed, Banni, Pindora, Asghar Mall, Dhoke Kala Khan and several others were the most affected. “We are getting enough water supply from Khanpur and Rawal dams but we are unable to supply it to the public due to prolonged loadshedding,” he said. The pumping stations remain closed due to power outages. This has led to water shortage in maximum areas of the city, he said.

Wasa MD Raja Shaukat Mehmood said that water level in Khanpur Dam and Rawal Dam will further improve in the upcoming monsoon. He has appealed to the public not to waste water. We will take strict action against wastage of water, he warned.

In the meantime, the tanker mafia is taking full advantage of the situation and is selling water tanker at Rs2000 against Rs1500. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has appealed public to inform any kind of water leakage in any areas on toll-free number of 1334.