Pipeline bursts at Palarivattom disrupts water supply

Pipe burst in Thammanam Junction led to the road caving in on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

A drinking water supply pipeline on Thammanam-Palarivattam road burst around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday throwing water supply to Thammanam and nearby areas into disarray.

Sources in the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) said the pipeline might have burst due to pressure during pumping. The damaged stretch, measuring 700 mm, is an old pipeline from Samskara Junction. The burst also caused a portion of the road to cave in.

Uma Thomas, MLA, who visited the site, said the nearby area and road had been flooded. She added that people had complained of mild tremors in the area, causing some initial apprehension among them.

“We had alerted the district administration about concerns raised by the public as necessary remedial measures need to be taken due to the possibility of further road cave-ins following the pipe burst. Water supply may be affected for a few days,” she said.

Flooding, which had disrupted traffic on the arterial road, has been brought under control by slowing down pumping. A drinking water pipeline burst was reported at Thammanam Junction last week.

The incident on Saturday occurred when water supply was returning to normal after the pipeline burst at Thammanam.

Meanwhile, residents complained about frequent pipe bursts and demanded immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future. They also urged the KWA to replace old and dilapidated pipes. Despite repeated requests, the authorities were yet to take steps to replace ageing pipelines, they pointed out.