Defective tube wells are causing water shortage in most parts of the city with the downtown being affected the worst. Apart from faulty tube wells, massive load shedding is a major cause for water shortage. Tube well operators are often found absenting themselves from duty as they take it as a part-time job. "At the time of power outage, tube well operators leave their offices and they come back after a delay. As a result, tube wells remain closed and no one could get water,' Abdul Waheed, a retired college teacher, told Daily Times. Salahuddin, a trader, said most tube well operators gave tube well keys to their untrained friends who were unable to operate the machine. "We are always left at the mercy of these untrained