Kochi water tank collapse: special protocol to inspect and fortify ageing structures may be devised following tank collapse

A peculiar protocol to inspect ageing structures of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) astatine regular intervals and fortify them whitethorn beryllium formulated successful the aftermath of the illness of a h2o retention vessel astatine Thammanam successful the Kochi Corporation connected Monday (November 10, 2025).

Minister for Water Resources Roshy Augustine said that portion the KWA already has a mechanics to inspect ageing structures, an further strategy mightiness beryllium introduced successful presumption of the incident.

The partially collapsed tank, based connected a folded sheet design, was commissioned successful 1985. The plan employed a structural engineering method utilizing a bid of flat, interconnected plates to make a stronger model susceptible of withstanding dense loads without the enactment of further beams.

“There were astir apt nary outer signs of the imminent collapse, which appears to person been the effect of a abrupt catastrophe. Typically, earlier specified incidents, leakages and damp patches are noticed connected the structure, which were apt absent successful this case. Ideally, ageing structures should beryllium strengthened done retrofitting. All agencies, including the Public Works section and the KWA, indispensable strictly adhere to Indian modular codes of construction,” said sources.

Although factual structures specified arsenic the collapsed vessel are expected to person a lifespan of up to 50 years, biology factors and topography indispensable beryllium taken into account. For instance, factual tin corrode faster successful coastal regions similar Kochi, sources added.

Residents said they had raised concerns astir the information of the tank, located successful the mediate of a residential area, but their warnings were mostly ignored by the authorities. Joseph Sabu, a nonmigratory of Kulathungal Bava Road, wherever the illness caused havoc, recalled astatine slightest 2 instances of overflow from the vessel successful the past, though the harm had not been arsenic severe.

Judith George, whose location is close adjacent to the pump location and whose precocious hubby had lived successful the country since the 1950s, said the compound partition of her location had collapsed connected much than 1 juncture owed to overflow.