Repair work on the rain-damaged Hub Canal has yet to be completed, raising fears of a severe water shortage in Karachi’s central and western districts.

According to Karachi Water Corporation, the canal had been shut down for emergency repairs after heavy rain currents destroyed more than 20 metres of its structure.

Although authorities initially announced that the damage would be fixed within 36 hours, work officially began only on Friday and may take up to three more days to complete, sources said.

The canal’s collapse has halted water supply to large parts of the city, leaving residents bracing for an acute shortage.

“We are facing the risk of a serious water crisis if repairs are not expedited,” officials warned.

The development has raised questions about construction quality, as the canal was inaugurated less than a month ago by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on August 13.

Consultants had earlier claimed that the new structure had a lifespan of 50 years, but it failed to withstand the seasonal monsoon flows.

The Karachi Water Corporation has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore supply as quickly as possible, but concerns continue to mount as temperatures rise and demand for water remains high.