Kochi city and several adjoining municipalities continue to face severe water supply disruptions, with residents at the far ends of the distribution network regularly going without adequate drinking water for days. The situation remains critical even as temperatures begin to rise ahead of the summer season, compounding hardships for households and businesses alike.
The primary issue stems from the partial collapse of the large Thammanam water storage tank in November 2025, which significantly reduced the facility’s capacity from its original 1.35 crore litres. Only one chamber of the twin-chamber tank is currently functional, limiting the amount of treated water available for distribution and forcing shortened pumping hours that fail to reach tail-end localities.
Frequent power outages and technical problems at key pump stations, including a recent one-day halt at the Pazhoor pumping station, have further disrupted the flow of water from major treatment plants such as those at Aluva and Maradu. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has acknowledged these operational challenges, but residents say there is still no robust backup system to ensure continuity when equipment fails.
Local representatives and citizens’ groups have pressed for urgent reconstruction of the damaged Thammanam tank and expedited completion of a proposed 190 million litres-per-day water treatment plant at Aluva to build long-term resilience. Meanwhile, district officials are coordinating with panchayats and the Kochi Corporation to map the worst-hit areas and supplement supplies with tanker delivery where possible.
Adding to the woes, bureaucratic delays in related pipeline repair work, especially in Poonithura and adjacent areas, have further stalled relief efforts, as required clearances are pending from the National Highways Authority of India. Residents continue to urge faster action to restore reliable water access to parched neighbourhoods across the region.
News as reported
