A 72-inch diameter pipeline burst near Dhabeji pumping station due to power breakdown affecting water supply to parts of Karachi on Sunday.
Reports said the pipeline burst due to back pressure caused by electricity breakdown while hundreds of thousands gallons water spread in the nearby fields.
According to a KWSB official, the pipeline burst due to “back pressure following power outage”. The KWSB staff, he said, had started repair work which was expected to be completed by Monday morning. The pipe bursting has resulted in the shortage of 200MG water for the metropolis, he added. The KWSB official urged the Karachiites to use water carefully.
Residents of the southern metropolis are already water starved and receive less than 50 per cent of the required 1100 million gallons of water each day. Due to the ruptured pipeline, Karachi has lost out on 200 million gallons which is about 40 per cent of the 500 million gallons the city gets each day.
While repair work on the pipeline is underway and water supply to the city was resumed through alternate means, it could take up to 48 hours for the repair work to be completed at Dhabeji. In light of the present situation authorities have advised consumers to observe caution and use water carefully.
The Karachi citizens living in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Mahmoodabad and other adjoining areas would face dearth of water as the main source of water supply would be closed.