A significant power failure at the Dhabeji pumping station on Sunday caused multiple pumps to stop functioning, prompting warnings from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) about potential partial disruptions in the city’s water supply. The power outage began at 6am when electricity to various phases of Dhabeji was suspended.

K-Electric identified the cause as a cable fault within its system, which resulted in the loss of power to Dhabeji’s third phase, fourth phase, and the K-III pump house. This outage rendered 10 out of the 21 pumps inoperative, severely affecting the main water supply facility for Karachi. Given the station’s reliance on a stable power source, even brief interruptions can immediately impact water distribution.

KWSC representatives emphasized their ongoing communication with K-Electric to expedite the restoration of electricity. Once power is reinstated, the affected pumps will be reactivated promptly, and water supply to the impacted areas is expected to return to normal without delay.

Meanwhile, K-Electric attributed the cable damage to a fire that erupted in nearby bushes. Their technical team was on site addressing the issue and maintained continuous coordination with KWSC to ensure a swift resolution.

In a related development, the Sindh government recently approved a 7.05% increase in KWSC’s water and sewerage tariffs for the fiscal year 2026-27, effective retroactively from July 1, 2026. This adjustment marks the second significant hike within two years, following a 23% rise in September 2024. These tariff increases come amid ongoing challenges in Karachi related to water availability, sewerage infrastructure, and the upkeep of aging civic systems. The KWSC has linked the revised charges to efforts aimed at enhancing service delivery and securing the financial sustainability of water and sewerage operations in the city.