Karachi and the related vicinity have been facing
water shortage very frequently in the last one
decade and the situation is growing worse. It
is estimated that by the year 2010- 2012, there
could be a severe water shortage that could result
in a drought which could have serious implications
for the country and its people. (Ohlson 2004).
Apart from the water shortage itself the quality
of water is also deteriorating day by day which
causes further problems.
Problem
Poor infrastructure is the root cause of water
shortage in Pakistan. Although Karachi is a developed
city but we have seen especially this year that
power stations have failed frequently which resulted
in an average shortage of 50 mg water a day. (“Karachi
Power cuts cause water shortage” 2004) This
way many areas have no water for days, which makes
living and hygiene conditions worse. In Karachi,
the water supply is directly related to the power
supply at the pumping stations. Power failure
is a common feature at Karachi where the weather
remains normally warm throughout the year.
Piped water is a scarce commodity and people
have to make use of well water if available. The
problem persists months on end, but no specific
measure is being taken. Whatever water is available
is also contaminated in many areas where the sewerage
system is worse, where the fresh water is mixed
with the sewerage water because of damaged pipes.
(“Karachi- Severe water shortage persists
in city” 2004)
Many reasons can be attributed to the problem
but natural reasons also play a major role in
the availability of water. A few days back the
forecast was gloomy and the water shortage in
the Sindh area was estimated at 56%, which has
now been reduced to 44% due to the recent rains
in the country. (“Water Shortage Reduces
To 44 %” 2004).
Within the same city we see that there is over
exploitation of this scarce commodity by the people
who have easy access to it. The distribution system
in the city is very ineffective and the water
is not being channeled according to the need of
the areas nor its being charged that way. The
people face a lot of nepotism in the country where
the rich can influence the relevant authorities
to get the infrastructure fixed, but residents
of the other communities keep on complaining and
no action is taken on their complaints for months
on end. (“Karachi-Severe water shortage
persists in city” 2004)
Due to contaminated water or the lack of it,
the residents of the city are facing problems,
whilst living in the urban city, they are not
being provided with basic amenity of life.
Apart from difficulties, people from time to time
have faced serious problems such as suffering
from skin and other ailments. A report was released
by the health and environment officials in 2003
which showed that areas especially the coastal
communities had to face severe health problems.
The Urban Health program carried out a survey
in 2003 which took sample from the area of Rohri
Geth, out of that sample about 40 people were
diagnosed with cholera and other water related
illnesses. (“Pakistan: Water shortage causes
skin ailments in Karachi” 2004)
Recommendations
The government of Pakistan is working with the
help of many international organizations especially
the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature. They have come up with many reports as
to what are the causes of lack of water and its
contamination in Pakistan. The Continuing drought
in Karachi has left the authorities to take drastic
measures in order to manage the problem at this
point in time.
The Asian Development Bank has also been helping
the government with the institutional reforms
for water management. The overall distribution
system has to be reworked so that excess water
from some areas can be diverted into the areas
where this resource is depleting. Further to that
government can make use of better technologies
such as Water Fabrication by Atomic Energy Commission
of Pakistan.
More help should be taken at the individual
level where help from institutions should be taken
for the conservation and better management of
water. Special efforts should be put in for the
judicious use of this valuable resource as wastage
by our own selves also has led it to be scarce.
(Ali 2004)
References
Author not available (August 29, 2004). Karachi:
Water Shortage persists in the city. Dawn, by
staff reporter.
Author not available (August 30, 2004). Karachi-
Severe water shortage persists in city, Dawn,
by Staff Reporter.
Author not available, (October 13, 2004). Water
Shortage Reduces To 44 % From 56 % During Rabi,
Press Release; Pak News from Paknews.com.
Author not available, (October 13, 2004). Pakistan:
Water shortage causes skin ailments in Karachi,
IRN news. Available at: http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=35131&SelectRegion=Central_Asia&SelectCountry=PAKISTAN
Ali, SM. (24-8-2004). View: The value of water,
The Daily Times, p.3-4 Online version available
at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-8-2004_pg3_4
Ohlsson, L. (Accessed on 13-10-2004). Pakistan
water crisis: When different management strategies
clash. EDC News. Available at: http://www.edcnews.se/Cases/PakistanIrrigation.html
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