KHYBER: The water crisis in Landi Kotal showed no signs of abating on Monday, as the suspension of supply to the main bazaar and surrounding residential areas entered its third consecutive day.
The prolonged outage, caused by a mechanical failure at the Landi Khana pumping station, has left thousands of residents and traders struggling to meet their basic needs during the holy month of Ramazan.
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Mechanical Failure and Official Inaction
The disruption began after a critical fault developed in the water pumping machinery. Despite multiple complaints lodged by the affected community with the Public Health Department, residents allege that no meaningful steps have been taken to repair the equipment.
The shortage has hit several key sectors, including:
- Commercial Hubs: Shopkeepers in the Landi Kotal Bazaar have been forced to purchase water from private tankers for personal use and to maintain the main mosque.
- Residential Quarters: Parts of the local army camp and the Christian Colony have seen their supply completely severed.
- Vulnerable Communities: Minority councillor Arshad Masih noted that even under normal conditions, low electricity voltage prevents the pump from operating at full capacity.
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Financial and Social Burden
For many, the water crisis in Landi Kotal is not just an inconvenience but a significant financial hardship. Local trader Rafiullah pointed out that the closure of the Torkham border had already crippled local trade; the added expense of buying water is now an unbearable burden.
“The suspension is causing immense difficulty during Ramazan, particularly for performing ablutions,” Rafiullah stated, noting that the community must manage rituals for three prayers a day without a reliable source of water.
Growing Humanitarian Concern
The situation is particularly dire in congested areas where narrow streets prevent water tankers from reaching households. Residents, including women and children, are reportedly trekking to far-off localities to fetch water in buckets.
“Women and children are facing severe problems due to the shortage, especially as there are no alternative washroom or toilet facilities available to them,” said Arshad Masih.
As the outage persists, civil society members have called upon the district administration to prioritize the repair of the Landi Khana pumping machine to prevent a further escalation of the humanitarian situation in the border town.
