Rawalpindi Faces Water Crisis Due to Electricity Cut by Iesco
Rawalpindi Faces Water Crisis Due to Electricity Cut by Iesco
Several areas in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, are facing a severe water shortage. This crisis began when the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) cut off electricity to nine key tubewells. The reason for this action was the non-payment of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 1.8 billion in outstanding dues by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa).
Impact on Residents
The disconnection, which took place on Thursday evening, has left residents in localities between Chandni Chowk and Shamsabad without water. These areas depend on tubewells for their water supply, and the power cut has disrupted this essential service.
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
Wasa officials have expressed frustration over the lack of prior warning before the electricity was cut. They paid PKR 60 million to Iesco on Friday, but the power supply was not restored. Wasa's Managing Director, Saleem Ashraf, explained that water for areas on the right side of Murree Road comes from the Khanpur Dam, but this is not enough for the left side, which relies on tubewells.
Wasa has requested PKR 2.5 billion from the provincial government to clear the outstanding dues and continue operations. Meanwhile, local residents have been forced to buy water from tankers or fetch it from distant sources.
Community Response
Many residents in areas like Dhoke Paracha and Data Gunj Bukhsh Road have expressed frustration over the ongoing water shortage, despite assurances from Wasa officials that part of the bill had been paid.
Doubts Revealed
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi is a city in Pakistan, which is a neighboring country to India. It is located near the capital city, Islamabad.
Water Crisis
A water crisis means there is not enough water for people to use for drinking, cooking, and other daily activities. It can happen when there is a problem with water supply.
Iesco
Iesco stands for Islamabad Electric Supply Company. It is a company that provides electricity to areas around Islamabad, including Rawalpindi.
Tubewells
Tubewells are deep wells that use a pump to bring underground water to the surface. They are often used in areas where there is no direct water supply from rivers or lakes.
PKR
PKR stands for Pakistani Rupee, which is the currency used in Pakistan. It is similar to how we use Indian Rupees (INR) in India.
Wasa
Wasa stands for Water and Sanitation Agency. It is an organization responsible for providing water and managing sanitation services in a city.
Managing Director
A Managing Director is a person who is in charge of running a company or organization. They make important decisions to help the company work well.
Provincial Government
A provincial government is the government of a province, which is a region within a country. It is similar to how India has state governments for each state.
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