Water shortage and power outages worsen Karachi resident’s hot weather ordeal

Karachi is facing an intense spell of summer heat, with soaring temperatures, prolonged power cuts, and ongoing water shortages combining to make daily life increasingly difficult for residents.

On Sunday, the city’s temperature climbed to around 40.9°C, while the “feels-like” temperature surged to nearly 46°C due to high humidity. Meteorological officials warned that the harsh weather conditions are likely to continue through the week, with little immediate relief expected, a report by DAWN News said on Monday.

Alongside the extreme heat, residents are also dealing with persistent water shortages. The crisis, partly linked to pipeline issues and power disruptions affecting pumping stations, has left several neighbourhoods struggling with irregular supply.

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) said repair work on a major pipeline had been completed and supply was gradually improving. Officials claimed that water was being restored in several areas, including Korangi, Malir, Clifton, Saddar, and Defence Housing Authority (DHA). However, they acknowledged a daily shortfall of around 40 million gallons compared to demand.

Despite these assurances, many parts of the city continue to report shortages. Areas such as Landhi, Orangi Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Karachi, and Baldia Town are still facing limited or no regular supply, forcing residents to depend on costly private water tankers.

Power outages have added to the hardship. Residents in multiple localities reported extended load shedding despite the extreme weather. In some areas, including Scheme-33, Lyari, Malir, and North Karachi, electricity interruptions continued through peak heat hours, worsening living conditions.

Protests also erupted in parts of the city, including Mauripur, where residents blocked roads and demonstrated against both water shortages and prolonged outages before dispersing after negotiations with authorities.

DAWN News quoted the power utility K-Electric as saying that it had suspended scheduled maintenance and reduced load shedding in response to the heatwave. It added that in areas with high losses, “economic load shedding” is usually paused during extreme temperatures, particularly when the mercury crosses 45°C.