KARACHI : A massive power breakdown at the Dhabeji Pumping Station on Thursday evening led to the bursting of two major water pipelines, severing the water supply to several parts of the city.
The Incident
According to a spokesperson for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), the power failure occurred at 6:30 PM in the second phase of the Dhabeji Pumping Station. While K-Electric restored power by 7:30 PM, the sudden shutdown caused a massive “back pressure” surge, resulting in the rupture of Line No. 5 (MS) and Line No. 2 (PRCC).
Affected Areas
Residents in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jinnah, Chanesar Goth, Saddar, Lyari, and Clifton will face significant water shortages until repairs are completed.
Restoration Efforts
KWSC officials and technical teams reached the site immediately. The CEO of Water Corporation has issued orders for emergency repairs. The spokesperson stated that restoration work will commence as soon as dewatering is complete, and it may take up to 24 hours to fully restore the supply.
The Root Cause
The incident highlights a recurring vulnerability in Karachi’s infrastructure. The Water Corporation currently lacks an independent power backup system. Frequent power fluctuations lead to high-pressure surges that burst aging pipelines, leaving citizens—who are already grappling with water scarcity—to bear the brunt of these infrastructure failures.
