Karachi is currently enduring a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring to approximately 40.9°C on Sunday and a “feels-like” temperature reaching nearly 46°C due to elevated humidity levels. Meteorological authorities have indicated that these harsh weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, offering little respite to the city’s inhabitants.
Compounding the discomfort caused by the intense heat, residents are also grappling with ongoing water shortages. These shortages stem partly from pipeline malfunctions and power disruptions that have impacted water pumping stations, resulting in irregular water supply across numerous neighborhoods.
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) announced that repairs on a significant pipeline have been completed, leading to gradual improvements in water distribution. Supply restoration efforts are underway in areas including Korangi, Malir, Clifton, Saddar, and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Nonetheless, officials acknowledged a daily deficit of roughly 40 million gallons compared to the city’s demand.
Despite these efforts, many localities such as Landhi, Orangi Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Karachi, and Baldia Town continue to experience irregular or absent water supply. Consequently, residents in these areas are increasingly reliant on expensive private water tankers to meet their needs.
Adding to the challenges, prolonged power outages have been reported across several parts of Karachi. Areas including Scheme-33, Lyari, Malir, and North Karachi have faced extended load shedding during peak heat hours, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions.
In response to these hardships, protests erupted in locations like Mauripur, where residents blocked roads and demonstrated against the persistent water shortages and electricity interruptions. These demonstrations were eventually dispersed following negotiations with local authorities.
The power utility K-Electric stated that it has suspended scheduled maintenance and reduced load shedding in light of the heatwave. It further noted that in regions with high electricity losses, “economic load shedding” is typically halted during extreme temperatures, especially when the mercury rises above 45°C, to alleviate the impact on residents.
