98% of Water Supply Restored in Kochi: KWA Confirms Recovery After Tank Collapse

A week after a major water storage tank collapsed in Kochi, disrupting supply across the city, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) announced that 98% of the water network is now operational. The incident, which occurred last Monday, left thousands scrambling for alternatives as repair teams raced to restore services.

The Collapse and Immediate Impact

The 10-million-litre tank in Maradu collapsed abruptly, flooding the area and damaging critical infrastructure. Early reports suggest structural fatigue and corrosion may have weakened the supports.

Affected areas—Maradu, Thrippunithura, and parts of Ernakulam—faced severe shortages, prompting emergency water tankers and a spike in bottled water sales. Frustrated residents took to social media, questioning KWA’s maintenance practices.

KWA’s Swift Restoration Efforts

Under public pressure, KWA teams worked 24/7 to reroute supply and repair pipelines. Chief Engineer Rajeev Nair stated:

“Within 72 hours, we revived partial supply. Now, 98% of affected zones have water.”

Key steps included:
– Bypassing the damaged tank
– Reinforcing weak pipeline points
– Deploying temporary pumps for hospitals/schools

Mixed Public Response

While KWA’s progress drew praise, some residents reported low pressure and inconsistent flow. Anitha Menon (Thrippunithura resident):

“Officials say supply is back, but we’re still facing disruptions.”

Opposition leaders criticized the state’s infrastructure neglect. V.D. Satheesan (Opposition Leader):

“Without audits and upgrades, such failures will repeat.”

Calls for Long-Term Solutions

Experts urge systemic upgrades to prevent future crises. Dr. Sreenath K. (Cochin University) emphasized:

“KWA must inspect all tanks and pipelines. Smart water systems are essential.”

KWA pledged to:
1. Conduct city-wide structural audits within a month.
2. Accelerate pipeline replacements under AMRUT scheme.

Conclusion

Though supply is nearly restored, the collapse highlights Kochi’s aging water infrastructure. Authorities now face pressure to implement sustainable reforms—turning this crisis into a catalyst for change.

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