Hyderabad:
The water crisis in the second largest urban center in Sindh has become alarming, altering the daily life of people in several neighborhoods, especially Heerabad, Shahi Bazaar, Khai Road, Afandi Town, Tando Mir Mahmood, Unit No. 12 and Kohsar.
Some areas have been without a stable water supply for up to four days, which forced residents to resort to expensive alternatives or dangerous sources.
In many affected areas, residents have to buy water from private suppliers, often at exorbitant prices. In some cases, people depend on the water extracted from underground wells, which raises serious health concerns.
The water that is supplied in the pipes is frequently contaminated, with inflicting and unpleasant water reports that makes it dangerous for human consumption.
Shahi Bazaar residents have reported that the water provided to them is so dirty that it is unusable, while similar complaints have emerged from Sherissh Nagar in Qasimabad. Ashiq, a local resident, said that after a four -day wait, the water that received his area was full of debris and mud.
The crisis is particularly severe in areas that extend from Khuda Hafiz Chowk to Kohsar, where the water supply has almost completely cut. For months, Khuda Hafiz Chowk residents have depended on the water of the WASA pumping station (water and sanitation agency).
However, the agency recently prohibited residents from collecting water from the station, and the area filtration plant has stopped working due to insufficient water availability.
Local residents have expressed concern about corruption within the system. The accusations date back to some WASA officials, citing unpaid wages, are facilitating illegal water connections.
Reports indicate that illegal connections are being installed by chocolate pipes in the main line that puts additional tension in an already overloaded system.
Meanwhile, Kohsar residents have had no choice but to buy water of expensive oil services.
To protest on the scarcity of water ongoing, the residents of Kohsar and Unit No. 12 have organized a demonstration in Khuda Hafiz Chowk.
They are asking for the immediate restoration of the water supply and the end of the illegal connections that worsen the crisis. The protest, scheduled for Friday, has obtained the support of the residents of other affected areas, which require rapid and effective action of the authorities.
Wasa claims to address illegal and delinquent connections. However, citizens claim that some officials are accomplices of illegal practices, providing connections during the night.
