16/10/2026
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16/10/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: More than 80 Indian families living in an apartment building in Abbasiya have been left struggling without running water for days after the building’s water pump was reportedly removed, leaving children, pregnant women, nurses and other working residents facing mounting hardship.
The affected residents of Building 158, Street 6, Block 4, Abbasiya, say their water supply stopped on the evening of October 14 after the caretaker allegedly removed the water motor. According to the tenants, they were subsequently informed that the property owner was unwilling to install a replacement.
Children seen helping parents fill water from ground floor
Residents say the crisis has left families struggling to meet basic needs, including drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes and maintaining hygiene. Some have been forced to purchase water or food from outside, while others say they have had to collect water from a storage tank downstairs.
The tenants have appealed to the concerned Kuwaiti authorities to intervene urgently, restore the water supply and investigate the circumstances surrounding the removal of the pump.
Children, pregnant women and nurses among those affected
The building houses numerous families, including schoolchildren, young children, pregnant women and healthcare workers employed by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health. Residents say the shortage has become particularly difficult for people working different shifts, who need access to water before leaving for work and after returning home.
One tenant, Nibu, described the distress caused by the situation, saying his two young children had been crying because their basic needs could not be met.
“My two small kids were crying for their basic needs, and my wife is also suffering,” he said in a message seeking urgent intervention.
He added that the family had been forced to depend on outside food and claimed they had gone three days without properly prepared meals.
Other residents said the absence of water had made it difficult to prepare food, maintain personal hygiene and manage daily household responsibilities.
“We have women and children, and we are worried about this situation,” another tenant, Blesson, said in an appeal for assistance.
Residents allege repeated water interruptions
The tenants say the latest shutdown followed repeated disruptions over the previous one to two months. According to their accounts, water was frequently unavailable for several hours, with some interruptions lasting through the night.
Athul, who lives in the building, said residents had repeatedly complained to the caretaker but had received no lasting solution.
He alleged that tenants had sometimes been forced to pay for water tankers themselves to replenish the building’s water tank. He also claimed that the pump was switched on temporarily on some occasions, allowing residents to fill containers inside their flats, before the supply was interrupted again.
According to Athul, the situation deteriorated further after the pump was removed last week.
He said residents who approached the caretaker were told that the Kuwaiti property owner had instructed him to remove it. The tenants said repeated calls and attempts to contact the responsible parties had failed to produce a permanent solution.
With water no longer reaching their apartments, some families have reportedly resorted to carrying water from the tank downstairs.
“We cannot even prepare food properly,” Athul said, appealing for media attention to help bring the matter before the relevant authorities.
Tenants are forced to fill water from the ground floor water tanks
Tenants raise concerns over rent disputes
The water crisis has emerged amid reported disputes between the property owner and some tenants over rental payments and increases.
According to the residents’ complaint, more than 20 tenants are involved in rental disputes and are paying rent through the Kuwaiti court system. The current monthly rent was reported to be around KD 325, with an additional KD 5 allegedly being charged by the caretaker.
Anish, who said he had lived in the building for five years, claimed that rents had risen by approximately KD 100 during that period, with further increases occurring more frequently over the past year.
He said some tenants had resorted to paying rent through the court after disagreements over increases, while others continued to pay their rent in full and on time.
Another complaint alleged that the restoration of water services had been linked to tenants signing new rental contracts at an increased rate. This allegation has not been independently verified, and the property owner’s response was not available.
The residents are urging the authorities to address the water shortage separately from any rental disagreements, stressing that families should not be left without an essential service while disputes remain unresolved.
No water in the restroom and kitchens, forcing tenants to buy water
Police approached twice, residents say
The affected families said they had approached Abbasiya Police Station on two occasions seeking assistance, but the water supply problem remained unresolved.
One resident said police had listened to their complaint but subsequently informed them that the matter could not be resolved at the station. The account added that residents had continued to contact the caretaker and other responsible parties without receiving a satisfactory response.
The residents are now seeking intervention by the relevant government authorities to inspect the building, establish why the pump was removed and ensure that water is restored without further delay.
Their requests include an immediate inspection of the water system, installation or repair of the pump, temporary water supplies if repairs cannot be completed promptly, and an investigation into the reported circumstances of the shutdown.
‘Water is a basic necessity, not a privilege’
The tenants say the prolonged disruption has placed an intolerable burden on families who pay rent and depend on the building as their home.
They have called for urgent action to protect children, pregnant women, healthcare workers and other residents from further hardship.
“Water is a basic necessity, not a privilege,” the residents said in their appeal, urging the concerned authorities to ensure that all affected apartments regain access to a reliable supply.
The allegations concerning the pump’s removal, the reported rental conditions and the handling of residents’ complaints require verification by the relevant authorities. The property owner and caretaker were not independently available for comment.
Caretaker (Haris) demanding commission
Many tenants allege that caretakers demand commissions of KD 200 to KD 250 for arranging rental flats, with some claiming they are denied accommodation if they refuse to pay. In addition, tenants reportedly pay a monthly fee of KD 5 for cleaning. Residents say these extra charges add to the financial burden on already struggling families.
Special Report - by John C Fernandes
Online Media Manager
Arab Times
