The cost of a water tanker in Abha has gone up about three-fold. A tanker is now being sold for SR300 as the water crisis aggravated this week, residents said. People in large numbers are queuing up for the tankers, they said pointing out the difficulties in acquiring water for daily use. According to a Saudi citizen, Ali Saad Al-Asiri, water tankers are not available even after spending hours together at one of the water distribution points. Another Saudi, Nasser Ali Al-Ahmari, said despite getting a number he was sure he would not get the tanker. Some tanker drivers said the crisis was due to the illegal entry of tankers in water distribution points. It is learnt that some expatriates are selling the cards at a premium after getting them issued with the conniving water officials. - Okaz __
