Karachi Faces 130 Million Gallons Water Shortage Due to Power Shutdown

KARACHI: The city is set to experience a significant water shortfall of approximately 130 million gallons per day (MGD) on Friday, November 13, as K-Electric (KE) and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) conduct annual maintenance at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

Typically, Karachi receives around 650 MGD of water; however, this supply will be reduced to 520 MGD during the scheduled power shutdown. A spokesperson for KWSC confirmed that KE has officially notified the water utility about the planned electricity outage, which will affect the Dhabeji Grid Station.

The power interruption is expected to last for 14 hours, commencing at 10 AM and concluding at midnight. During this period, nine out of the 21 pumps at Dhabeji will be non-operational, leading to disruptions in water supply across various neighborhoods, including Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal, Gulshan, Clifton, Saddar, and Lyari. Additionally, towns such as Jinnah, Chanesar, Liaquatabad, and North Karachi will also face water supply issues, while Nazimabad and Gulberg will experience partial disruptions. The Landhi and Sherpao hydrants will remain closed throughout the shutdown.

This maintenance work underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Karachi’s water supply system, which is already under strain due to increasing demand and infrastructural issues. Residents are advised to store water in advance to mitigate the impact of the shortage. The KWSC has urged citizens to remain patient and has committed to restoring normal supply as soon as the maintenance is completed.