Karachi residents are bracing for a significant water shortage today as annual maintenance work began at the Dhabeji Grid Station early Thursday morning. According to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, the scheduled operation will last from 8 AM to 8 PM, leading to reduced power supply on several feeders linked to the city’s primary pumping network.
The temporary power suspension is expected to disrupt water distribution across multiple zones, causing an estimated loss of nearly 100 million gallons in overall supply. Officials stated that the maintenance is part of routine system upgrades meant to ensure long-term reliability of Karachi’s water infrastructure, even though it brings short-term inconvenience for residents.
Areas projected to experience low pressure or delayed supply include Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal, DHA, Chanesar Town, Jinnah Town, North Nazimabad and Gulberg Town. These localities rely heavily on the pumping systems connected to Dhabeji, making them particularly vulnerable during scheduled outages. The corporation advised citizens to conserve water throughout the day to minimize the impact of reduced distribution.
The annual maintenance at Dhabeji is considered vital to prevent technical failures that could trigger larger disruptions in the future. Karachi’s water system already struggles under high demand, aging pipelines and recurring power issues. Scheduled upgrades are therefore necessary to maintain stable flow and prevent unplanned breakdowns.
Residents have been urged to store sufficient water ahead of the downtime, especially in densely populated neighbourhoods where alternative sources are limited. KWSC also emphasized that supply will gradually normalize after the completion of work, though some areas may experience delays as the system regains pressure.
The water shortage comes amid broader concerns over Karachi’s infrastructure resilience. Experts note that while scheduled maintenance is essential, the city requires long-term investment in modern pumping technology, improved power backup systems and pipeline rehabilitation to prevent chronic shortages. For now, residents must manage a full-day reduction in water availability as authorities complete the necessary servicing at the grid station.
As the 12-hour maintenance window continues, the KWSC has assured the public that teams are monitoring operations closely to restore full capacity as soon as the upgrades are finalized.
