Water Crisis Looms in Karachi as Leaking 84-Inch Pipeline Poses New Threat

Karachi: A new water crisis is threatening Karachi once again after a leak was detected in the 84-inch pipeline that had been repaired just eight days ago. The pipeline, which was damaged during construction work for the Red Line project, had been temporarily shut down, leading to severe water shortages across the city.
According to Express News, officials from the Water Corporation have gathered to discuss the situation and decide whether water supply should be suspended again for further repairs or if work can continue without interrupting water distribution. A meeting to make this decision is scheduled for Thursday.
Details reveal that the 84-inch pipeline ruptured at two points on December 3 due to the ongoing construction work for the Red Line. This led to a complete suspension of water supply, forcing repairs that lasted for eight days. During this period, Karachi residents faced an extreme water shortage, with a loss of approximately 2.5 billion gallons of water.
Although repairs were completed and water supply resumed after eight days, a new leak has emerged in the pipeline, with water accumulating in a pit at one of the damaged spots. There are concerns that the leak may worsen over time, further complicating the situation.
In the meantime, the Water Corporation is evaluating how to proceed. The possible options include halting water supply once again to conduct repairs or carrying out work while maintaining water distribution. The final decision will be made on Thursday.
Residents of Karachi had to purchase over 3 billion rupees worth of water during the 8-day crisis to meet their needs, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing water shortages. With the new leak in the pipeline, Karachiites are once again facing the possibility of a major water crisis.