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Title: Power failures deprive citizens of water

By our correspondent

April 2, 2000

KARACHI: Many areas in the city, including some parts of Society and Old city, were deprived of water on Thursday and Friday, which was attributed to the short pumping that took place due to prolonged power failure at two major water pumping installations.

According to KWSB staffer, water board once again had to experience power failure at its Dhabeji Pumping station for over 24 hours, causing short supply of water to the tune of 40 million gallons on Thursday.

It was further said that power supply went off at the early hours on Wednesday and was resumed again on Thursday. Due prolonged absence of electricity pumping was not possible and considerable impact was observed in some parts of the city, where water was not available, added the officer and informed further that pumping at KWSB Ranchore line station was also stopped for about eight hours at 1 am on Thursday.

However, KWSB staffer said that on Friday water supply situation was returning to normal and gap created between demand and supply was almost eliminated. The staffer hoped that affected areas would start getting adequate water from Friday night.

Meanwhile, residents from Federal b Area, Society area, Baldia, Orangi, Baldia, Surjani town, North Karachi, Bahdurabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal have also reported about water crisis in their respective areas. They said that it was the poor water management by KWSB senior engineers that different parts of the city were facing the worse shortage, while the worst days of summer were still to come.

Sources in KWSB said that during the last two weeks the water supply situation had deteriorated, but it was due to ineffective monitoring and vigilance of the water distribution system. It was the new KWSB MD, who used to take personal interest in the problem, but things have turned different since after his going on leave, added the source.

The News International, Pakistan

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/update-index.html

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), April 01, 2000