The collapse of the Thammanam water tank has significantly affected water supply to several areas in Kochi. File photo
Several areas under the Kochi Corporation have been experiencing acute water scarcity over the past few weeks. Divisions such as Gandhi Nagar, Vaduthala West, Vyttila, Ayyappankavu and Panampilly Nagar are among the areas where residents have been badly affected by the water shortage.According to the authorities, increased consumption due to rising heat, power disruptions and the partial collapse of the Thammanam water tank last year have contributed to the shortage.Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod said the collapse of the Thammanam water tank had significantly affected water supply to several areas. “Since one chamber of the reservoir is not functional, the pressure cannot be maintained, leaving several areas and tail ends dry. I am getting calls from several councillors complaining about water scarcity, and we are staring at an acute water shortage situation,” said Mr. Vinod.According to sources in the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), power disruptions had affected the pumping schedules. “There has been an increase in water consumption due to the rising heat. We are also checking for leakages in the distribution lines. Power disruptions have been addressed, and water supply will resume within a few days. But a permanent solution can be achieved only after the 190 MLD plant is realised,” they added.Meanwhile, several residents have complained that the rising heat has led to wells drying up, and that despite repeated requests, tankers do not supply water according to their requirements owing to the increased demand.In Panampilly Nagar, around 50% of the division has been affected, said councillor Antony Painuthara. Vaduthala West councillor Jismy Jerald said newer areas in her division had been affected by water shortage. “The Janakeeya Road in our area did not have any issues until a week ago. Thousands of houses in my division have been affected,” said Ms. Jerald.Sankaranarayanan K.S., secretary of Mukkottil Temple Road Residents Association in Poonithura, complained about the lack of alternative sources of water. “The wells have gone dry. Close to 500 families in the southern part of Poonithura, Vyttila division, have been affected. Moreover, tankers cannot even reach most areas to deliver water,” said Mr. Sankaranarayanan.Over 300 households in the Gandhi Nagar division have been affected, with the situation being exacerbated by the alleged use of motors by some residents to draw more water.Gandhi Nagar councillor Nirmala Teacher said there had been complaints of people using motors to draw water in the Karshaka Road area. “I will be looking into this. There are no other sources of water in our area, and we rely entirely on water supplied by the KWA. So, a solution has to be found at the earliest,” she said. Published - September 08, 2026 08:09 pm IST
