Some Karachi areas likely to face water shortage due to Dhabeji power breakdown

A major water supply line feeding Karachi burst early Sunday after a power breakdown hit the Dhabeji Pumping Station, disrupting pumping operations and sharply reducing the flow of water to the city.

According to a spokesperson for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), a sudden electricity breakdown at around 6am shut down four pumps in the station’s second phase.

The disruption created pressure fluctuations that caused Line No. 5 — one of the key conduits supplying water to Karachi — to burst with a loud explosion.

The damage is expected to reduce the city’s water supply by nearly 100 million gallons until repairs are completed. The spokesperson said emergency repair work began immediately and is expected to take up to 24 hours, after which water distribution through the affected line will resume.

The Dhabeji Pumping Station serves as Karachi’s main water intake facility and relies heavily on uninterrupted power. Even short intervals without electricity lead to immediate operational failures.

Officials say the facility has struggled for years with declining infrastructure, insufficient maintenance and recurring mechanical faults.

Dhabeji has suffered several breakdowns this year alone, leaving many neighbourhoods in the city facing prolonged shortages and an escalating water crisis.