Monsoon is almost here,and honestly,this Thammanam water tank issue is not sounding like small maintenance problem anymore . When already damaged structure is just sitting there for seven months,no strengthening,no repair,and rains are coming… concern is natural only .
This is about partially collapsed water tank in Thammanam,where Chamber 1 of twin-chamber tank collapsed on November 10 last year . That collapse had disrupted water supply across several areas in Kochi,so this is not some isolated local issue ah.
Now Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has raised alarm again because damaged chamber is still unattended . With monsoon rains,there is fear that structure may deteriorate further,especially because no proper strengthening or repair work has started on Chamber 1 .
And tbh,this is where delay looks very worrying .
KWA had submitted two proposals to deal with structural damage . One proposal is to construct a new 35-lakh-litre tank on land owned by KWA in Thammanam . Other proposal is to redesign Chamber 1 for continued use,but only if required structural modifications are done . Expert committee reportedly favoured building new tank instead of restoring collapsed section,but administrative sanction for proposed ground-level tank is still pending.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Chamber 1 collapsed on November 10 last year and seven months later,work is still stalled.
- KWA is warning that Chamber 2,which is still operational,could also be at risk .
- Salty winds and soil salinity are causing erosion,so climate-resilient approach is needed.
A KWA source has warned that leaving collapsed tank unattended is risky and needs close supervision plus careful intervention . Damaged parts have to be removed,and surrounding soil has to be stabilised so overall structure does not weaken more.
And this is not just about one broken chamber . If Chamber 1 is left like that,it can affect rest of reservoir too,including functional Chamber 2 . Even if Chamber 1 is not used again as reservoir,overall tank structure still needs strengthening.
KWA has also pointed out that several older tanks in city are still operational and may face similar structural problems if these issues are ignored . That part is worrying because water infrastructure already takes heavy pressure during monsoon and summer both.
At same time,climate factor cannot be brushed aside now . Salty winds,soil salinity,erosion,old structures… all these things slowly eat into infrastructure,and then suddenly one day public comes to know when something collapses .
And people in Kochi are depending on these systems daily . So question is simple but uncomfortable,how long can damaged public infrastructure keep waiting for sanction while monsoon clouds are already coming…
