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Kochi Water Tank Collapses, Flooding Homes as Kerala Races to Protect Water Supply

Officials shifted pumping with tanker support after one Thammanam reservoir chamber failed.

Overview

  • The wall of one chamber of a twin-chamber Kerala Water Authority reservoir at Thammanam gave way around 2–2:30 a.m., unleashing tens of millions of litres of water into nearby streets and homes.
  • Several houses were inundated, vehicles were damaged, and a primary health centre lost medicines and equipment, with no casualties reported.
  • Authorities said drinking water service to parts of Kochi would be hit, estimating about 30% impact, as emergency pumping from Aluva and Maradu and tanker deliveries are deployed to maintain supply.
  • The intact chamber remains in use with its storage raised to roughly 85 lakh litres after checks for minor leakage, with rescheduled pumping in three daily shifts to stabilise distribution.
  • Preliminary views point to age-related structural weakening, detailed inspections and compensation assessments are underway, and the state is considering a stricter inspection protocol for ageing KWA structures, noting 161 disused tanks statewide.