Kochi: Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G IAS has assured that compensation will be provided to all those affected by the explosion of the water tank under the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) at Thammanam here. Addressing the media at the site on Monday morning, the collector said officials would identify the cause of the collapse and assess the extent of the damage.

“It was a structural failure. Many houses were flooded and several vehicles were damaged. Officials will carry out a detailed inspection at the site. A decision on compensation will be taken after the assessment,” the collector said.

KWA officials said that water supply will be disrupted in various parts of the city following the incident. They confirmed that one compartment of the tank had collapsed, but water supply would continue from the other section. According to them, a basement failure led to the explosion.

Ratheesh Kumar, KWA Superintending Engineer, told Manorama News that pumping would resume by Monday evening and that repair work would start immediately. 

“This was an unexpected incident. Fortunately, no casualty was reported. We will complete the repair work on a war footing, as water supply in most parts of the city has been affected. Supply to some areas has already been restored using the second compartment. Areas including Cheranalloor have been without water since 2.30 am,” he said.

Officials estimated that around 30% of the city’s drinking water supply would be affected.

Meanwhile, State Irrigation Minister Roshy Augustine has convened a high-level meeting to discuss the incident.

The tank, with a capacity of 1.35 crore litres, gave way around 3 am. on Sunday. Water gushed into about ten houses located behind the reservoir, damaging walls and flooding the area. Several vehicles, including autorickshaws and two-wheelers, were swept away and damaged in the incident. Nearby roads were also destroyed. The Primary Health Centre at Thammanam was submerged, and medicines were reportedly damaged.