After weeks of growing frustration over Karachi’s severe water shortages, recent monsoon downpours have given the city a glimmer of hope. The Hub Dam, one of Karachi’s primary water sources, has seen its water level rise by 11 feet in just days, putting it close to maximum capacity for the first time in a year.
City officials confirmed that the dam’s current level has climbed from 322 feet to 333 feet, leaving just six feet before it reaches its full storage limit of 339 feet. If rains continue and the reservoir fills completely, Hub Dam could provide Karachi with enough water to sustain parts of the city for nearly three years.
A City Running on Half Its Needs
Karachi’s water crisis remains one of its most pressing infrastructure challenges. The city’s daily demand exceeds 1,200 million gallons, but residents are currently receiving only around 650 million gallons per day (MGD). Much of this comes from Keenjhar Lake, while Hub Dam supplies roughly 100 MGD to West and Keamari districts, areas that are often hardest hit by shortages.
Even a near-full Hub Dam won’t solve the systemic issue of chronic undersupply, but experts say it could bring temporary stability, especially for western neighborhoods that heavily rely on this source.
How Critical Hub Dam Really Is
Completed in 1981 and spread over 24,300 acres, the Hub Dam is a vital component of Karachi’s water system. It has reached full capacity only 12 times in its history, most recently in September 2023, when excess water had to be released through the spillway to prevent overflow.
Officials say a repeat of last year’s scenario is within reach if the monsoon continues. Once full, the reservoir could supply water uninterruptedly to West, Keamari, and Central districts, providing breathing room for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) as it scrambles to address supply imbalances.
What This Means for Karachi
While the boost in water reserves is welcome, experts caution against overconfidence. Karachi’s rapidly growing population and failing distribution network mean that even a full Hub Dam won’t erase supply challenges. However, it does buy the city time to prevent immediate shortages and stabilize delivery in key areas.
For now, the rising reservoir level is a rare piece of good news for Karachi residents, many of whom face daily struggles to secure clean water.
