On November 11, 2025, workers carry out repairs to a damaged reservoir of the Kerala Water Authority in Thammanam. Photo credit: RK Nithin
Water supply is restored and pumping resumed a day after drinking water supply was disrupted in several parts of Kochi Corporation following the collapse of a storage tank wall in Thammanam, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) said. Pumping to the Thripunithura area began around 11 am on Tuesday (November 11, 2025) from chamber 2 of the reservoir, which was not affected by the collapse.
“Repairs were carried out on a war footing to prevent water shortages and on Tuesday, pumping from the second chamber of the water reservoir began,” said Roshy Augustine, Minister of Water Resources.
Drinking water supply to 30% areas under Kochi Corporation and surrounding local bodies has been affected after the side wall of one of the chambers of Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) two-chamber water storage tank at Thammanam collapsed.
According to KWA sources, it will take a few more days for water supply to be fully restored. Apart from the areas under the corporations, Pachalam, Vaduthala, Petta and Cheranalloor panchayats were also affected
Although pumping has been restored, some consumers at the end of the network may face water shortages due to low pressure. “The problem will be solved by supplying water with tanker trucks. In areas inaccessible to tankers, small tankers will be used,” said the minister.
The possibility of rehabilitation and renovation of the collapsed reservoir is also being considered. KWA Design Department, Public Works Department Design Department and Cochin University of Science and Technology were entrusted with the task. The minister added that according to preliminary reports, the collapse was not caused by any structural defect, but by the sinking of the foundation into the soil.
Repair work
Pumping in the second chamber started on Tuesday after a series of repairs. This involved the blocking of one of the 700 mm pipes that fed water from the Aluva power plant (through a 1200 mm diameter pipe) to both compartments of the storage tank. Water from the Maradu power plant was diverted to the unaffected chamber (chamber 2), which had previously received water through the now-collapsed chamber 1. The connection between the two chambers was also sealed.
Published – 11 Nov 2025 20:42 IST
