A major disaster struck Kochi’s Thammanam area early Monday morning when a massive Kerala Water Authority (KWA) storage tank, reportedly over 40 years old, suddenly burst, unleashing nearly 1.25 million litres of water into nearby residential areas. The powerful surge flooded roads and houses, damaged vehicles, and swept away household belongings in a matter of minutes. Several homes were left filled with mud and debris, while a nearby Urban Family Health Centre sustained damage to its medical equipment.
Authorities have shut off main valves to control the flooding and launched emergency relief operations. The incident has disrupted water supply to several parts of Kochi, including Tripunithura and nearby regions. Officials have promised compensation and are assessing the extent of the damage. The collapse has also reignited public concern over Kerala’s ageing water infrastructure, drawing attention to the urgent need for inspection and maintenance of old storage tanks across the state.
