Kochi: A major water tank burst in Kochi’s Thammanam area left several homes inundated in the early hours of Monday.

Reports say around one crore litres of water were stored in the tank when its wall collapsed. Nearly 80 per cent of the tank, which is about 40 years old, was filled at the time of the accident. A large portion of the tank’s concrete panel broke.

Residents said they realised the gravity of the situation only after muddy water entered their homes. By then, rooms were inundated and furniture, appliances, and personal belongings were soaked in sludge. Cleanup work is still underway, with many using motor pumps to drain water.

Autorickshaws, cars, and motorbikes were submerged or toppled by the force of the gushing water.

The nearby Urban Family Health Centre was also damaged, with medical equipment, including PPE kits, washed away.

It is learnt that the drinking water supply is likely to be affected in parts of Tripunithura, Petta, and other city regions. It could take several days to restore normal distribution.

Residents recall night of chaos

“We woke up around 2 a.m. to a loud sound. When I looked outside, water was gushing everywhere. I immediately rushed to the Water Authority office. By then, the courtyard was flooded. The officials managed to shut a major valve, which reduced the water flow,” said Tony, a resident, to Mathrubhumi News.

Another couple shared their experience: “At 2 a.m., we heard the sound of water. Soon it reached our beds. Clothes, furniture, everything was soaked in muddy water. We tried to open the door net to escape and climbed upstairs for safety.”

A woman also described the shock: “My children shouted that water was entering the house. We didn’t know where it came from. Within minutes, it reached knee level. Our washing machine and utensils are still under water. We only realised later what had happened.”

Fears reignited over Mullaperiyar dam safety

Following the news of the Kochi tank burst, social media users began comparing it to the potential consequences of a Mullaperiyar dam burst. Many questioned, “If a tank burst can cause such havoc, what if the Mullaperiyar dam collapses?”

The Mullaperiyar Dam, built over a century ago by the British, remains a long-standing point of contention between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. While Tamil Nadu insists the dam is safe, Kerala continues to express concern about its ageing structure and the potential risk to downstream populations.

In 2014, the Supreme Court upheld Tamil Nadu’s stance that the dam was structurally sound, directing that the reservoir level be maintained at 142 feet and forming a supervisory committee to oversee its safety.

Despite this, social media discussions and panic often resurface, especially during the monsoon when water levels rise. Online petitions calling for immediate action and video interviews discussing the potential aftermath of a Mullaperiyar dam breach have circulated widely. The Kochi incident has once again reignited those fears online.