RAWALPINDI: Extreme heat and high humidity gripped Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday, forcing many residents indoors and worsening the water shortage. The maximum temperature reached 41°C, and the Met Office said hot and dry weather is expected to continue for the next two days.
Many people visited dams, parks, and swimming pools to escape the heat, while several others were hospitalised after suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Residents in several areas complained of low water pressure and supply shortages despite repeated complaints to Wasa and the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB). Many families are now buying private water tankers costing around Rs4,000.
RCB officials said higher summer demand has widened the gap between water supply and consumption. They added that the cantonment receives only nine million gallons of water daily from Khanpur Dam, which is insufficient to meet residents’ needs.