Palakkad: Water seepage has been detected from the side wall of the old British-era bridge at Karikkarappulli, which is part of the Malampuzha irrigation canal. Although the leakage is currently limited, canal water is seeping through the structure and flowing into the river below.

Officials noted that while similar seepage had been reported and rectified along the side wall in previous years, the present leakage has emerged at a new section of the bridge.

The British-era bridge at Karikkarappulli is part of the left-bank canal that carries irrigation water from the Malampuzha Dam. At this location, the Malampuzha canal splits into two as it crosses over the Shokanashini river. One section is an open aqueduct, while the other is a covered structure. The covered portion, known as the Kannadi Aqueduct, also serves as a passage for light vehicles.

Although the leakage is not severe, farmers have demanded that their concerns in this regard be addressed at the earliest. They point out that the British-built canal, which is more than seven decades old, requires regular maintenance to ensure its continued stability. The site also attracts a visitors who come to catch a glimpse of the canal and its surroundings

The seepage becomes noticeable only when water is released from the Malampuzha Dam for irrigation, which increases the flow through the canal.