KOCHI: The incessant rain that started on Wednesday morning left most parts of the city and suburbs flooded. The residents of West Kochi, including Fort Kochi, Kalvathy, Iraveli, Karipalam, Mattanchery, Kochangadi, Cheralai, Thoppumpady, Mundamvely and Thazhuppu, were forced to stay indoors till afternoon due to the heavy showers. Those who were forced to step out had to struggle to reach their destinations due to waterlogging.With the city expecting to witness heavy showers in the coming days, the threat of water-borne diseases looms large over the West Kochi area. The primary reason behind the fear is the old pipelines which are yet to be replaced. The residents fear that unless these pipelines are replaced, sewage could leak into potable water with disastrous consequences. “The pipelines in most of these areas under West Kochi are already in a broken state. This will lead to potable water getting mixed with drainage water. Continuous rain will worsen the situation,” said Mumthaz Teacher, Councillor, Thazhuppu.She said that this year the authorities have not even replaced the GI pipes which was a regular work carried out in the previous years. Recently, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph had announced an interim project at an estimate of Rs 1.5 crore to replace broken and old water supply pipelines in West Kochi on a priority basis. “The laying of new pipelines will solve the recurrent problems related to the water supply to a certain extent. But the work should be monitored properly,” said Mumthaz. She alleged that the contractors who undertake the work made serious lapses.
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