Domino effect: Heavy downpour affects Karachi's water supply system
June 30, 2017
KARACHI: The metropolis was deprived of 150 million gallons of water as the 72-inch pipeline of Dhabeji Pumping Station was ruptured due to three power breakdowns in 16 hours.
According to the water board spokesperson, the breakdowns suspended electric supply to the pumping station, causing the pipeline to burst in two places. Subsequently, he added, the nearby area was inundated.
However, the staff and machinery to fix the pipe have been dispatched to the pumping station on the orders of the water board managing director, said the spokesperson, adding repair work would start soon.
The pipeline was ruptured after power breakdown due to heavy rain suspended electric supply to the pumping station, along with other places. As a consequence, water that was being carried up in the 72-inch pipeline from the ground floor started flowing in the reverse direction. Since pressure of the backflow was high, it caused the pipeline to burst at two points, depriving Karachi of 150 million gallons of water.
The water supply was recently affected when on June 20 a 72-inch pipeline was ruptured at the same pumping station, which is the most important water supply source for Karachi.
It incident took place over similar reasons – when power failure caused a buildup of reverse pressure in the pipeline.
