Karachi: Karachi is once again grappling with a serious water crisis after a major breakdown at the Dhabeji Pumping Station caused a critical supply line to rupture, intensifying concerns over the city’s fragile infrastructure.

The incident led to the loss of millions of gallons of water and disrupted supply across several key areas, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the officials stated that the disruption occurred late Sunday night when an unexpected power outage forced the shutdown of multiple pumps at the K-III Pump House and Phase-II system. The sudden halt created extreme pressure fluctuations within the pipeline network, ultimately causing the 72-inch main line to burst.

Large volumes of water were spilt into nearby areas before authorities could bring the situation under control. Emergency repair operations were launched immediately, with technical teams working continuously to fix the damaged infrastructure. However, officials expressed deep concern over recurring power failures at the Dhabeji facility, calling them a major threat to Karachi’s already overburdened water supply system. They urged K-Electric to ensure a stable power supply, warning that continued disruptions could worsen the crisis.

The breakdown has impacted several densely populated localities, including Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and parts of District Central. Residents in these areas are expected to face severe shortages for at least 24 to 48 hours. Authorities have advised citizens to conserve water and prepare for delays, while tanker demand is anticipated to rise sharply, as highlighted by The Express Tribune.

Sources within the Water Corporation indicated that while repair work may be completed within a day, restoring normal supply will take additional time due to the need for gradual pressure stabilisation. Partial restoration could begin at night, provided no further complications arise, as reported by The Express Tribune.