Several Rawalpindi Areas Hit by Severe Water Shortage

Rawalpindi is facing a severe water shortage at the peak of summer, with several areas in the city and cantonment struggling to meet daily needs.

In the cantonment, Misrial Road, Afshan Colony, Dhoke Chaudhrian, People’s Colony, Adra, Tench Bhatta, Dhoke Syedan, and Baraf Khana Chowk are among the worst-hit areas.

In the city, localities along the old Airport Road, from Koral Chowk to Ammar Chowk, are also affected after the Capital Development Authority recently stopped the water supply from the tubewells installed in its jurisdiction.

The shortage has forced many households to depend on private water tankers, adding to expenses during the summer months. In several affected neighborhoods, the water supply is reported to be irregular, with some households receiving water on alternate days and only for short periods.

Residents in the cantonment have raised concerns over the lack of a reliable supply despite the area receiving water from Khanpur Dam and local tubewells. They have also questioned why private tankers continue to access and sell water at higher rates while households struggle to secure enough water for daily use.

Similar concerns have emerged along Airport Road, where residents are dealing with irregular supply and growing dependence on private tankers. There is also frustration over continued spending on major infrastructure projects while basic services such as water supply remain under pressure.

Cantonment board officials said the shortage is due to a gap between demand and supply. They said most areas depend on Khanpur Dam, which supplies only 11 million gallons daily, while the number of residential areas in the cantonment has increased sharply.

Officials added that the cantonment has been given a smaller water share and lacks funds to install new tubewells.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said areas along the old Airport Road are facing shortages because CDA suspended supply from the tubewells installed along the Islamabad Expressway. He said WASA has taken up the matter with CDA and expects it to be resolved within a week or two.

Khan added that WASA has prepared a case to request the federal government to restore water supply from the tubewells, which were installed by WASA using Punjab government funds with CDA’s permission. He said technical teams have also been formed to inspect more than 480 tubewells in city areas.

However, he noted that electricity load-shedding in several areas is also affecting the smooth supply of water.