Parts of Karachi may face disruptions to their water supply after a major power outage at the Dhabeji pumping station left 10 of its 21 pumps non-operational on Sunday.
According to a spokesperson for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), electricity supply to different sections of the Dhabeji pumping station was suspended at around 6am.
The outage affected the station’s third phase, fourth phase and K-III pump house, significantly reducing its pumping capacity.
K-Electric attributed the power breakdown to a fault involving cables in its system.
KWSC seeks early restoration
The KWSC spokesperson said the corporation was in continuous contact with K-Electric and was working to ensure the electricity supply was restored as soon as possible.
The affected pumps would be brought back online immediately after power was restored, the spokesperson said.
“Water supply in the affected areas will be restored to normal immediately after electricity is restored,” the spokesperson added.
Karachi areas may face water shortage as power breakdown hits Dhabeji pumping station
The Dhabeji pumping station is a key component of Karachi’s water supply network, making uninterrupted electricity essential for maintaining water distribution across the city.
K-Electric spokesperson said a fire in nearby bushes had caused damage to the cables. A technical team was present at the site where the cables caught fire, while the power utility remained in contact with KWSC officials to facilitate early restoration.
Karachi faces continuing water challenges
The latest disruption comes as Karachi continues to face longstanding challenges related to water availability, sewerage infrastructure and the maintenance of ageing civic systems.
Last month, the Sindh government approved a 7.05% increase in KWSC water and sewerage charges for the 2026-27 financial year. The revised tariff was made effective retrospectively from July 1, 2026.
The increase marked the second major revision in KWSC charges in two years. In September 2024, the corporation had increased its monthly charges by around 23%, according to The News.
The water corporation has previously linked tariff revisions to efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen the financial sustainability of water and sewerage operations.
For Karachi residents, however, interruptions at major pumping facilities can quickly affect water availability, particularly in areas dependent on the Dhabeji system. The restoration of electricity will therefore be crucial to returning the city’s water supply to normal.
