RAWALPINDI: The operation of tubewells is constantly disrupted due to the frequent power outages in the garrison city and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has asked the government for help.

Wasa Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood said: “There are problems in water supply due to continuous power outage from 10am to 2pm. Pumping motors are unable to supply water from Rawal Lake Filtration Plant to the city. Similarly, water supply from Khanpur Dam has been affected. It is necessary to run motors for water supply along with the water treatment plant.”

He said water cannot be stored in tanks which is why citizens must not waste it.

It has been reported that there is an acute shortage of water in different parts of the cantonment areas, especially those under the administrative control of Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) particularly Kamalabad, Lalazar, Lal Kurti and Jhanda Chichi. Residents have asked the government to solve the problem.

Areas in Rawalpindi cantonment where shortage of water has been reported are: Misrial Road, Range Road, Afshan Colony and Allahabad.

CCB elected member Raja Irfan Imtiaz said most areas that fall under the control of Chaklala Cantonment Board rely on water supply from Khanpur Dam through pumping stations. He said RCB was already releasing less water to the CCB and the power cuts have made the situation worse, adding the government should take notice of the issue immediately.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2022