The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) on Thursday replaced the concrete pipe that had burst at Vazhayila on Wednesday. The water supply was also restored partially by Thursday morning.
The leak was plugged by replacing the broken portion of the concrete pipe with a mild-steel (MS) pipe. The supply was restored by 9.30 am after around 24 hours of work. Normal water supply was restored by Thursday noon.
The pipe carrying water from Aruvikkara to the city had ruptured near the petrol pump at Vazhayila on Wednesday morning. The leak was found on a stretch where the 1,200-mm pre-stressed concrete line narrows down to 900 mm. The burst had caused a flood on the Peroorkada-Vazhayila road, resulting in massive traffic snarls.
KWA had stopped pumping water from the mainline at Aruvikkara soon after the burst. The supply to Medical College, Statue, Vazhuthacaud, Vellayambalam, Palayam, PMG, Pattom, Vanchiyoor, Pettah, Kannammoola, Chackai, Mannanthala and Kudappanakkunnu areas was disrupted.
The pipe-replacement works, which began around 9 am on Wednesday, continued during the night also. According to officials, the incessant showers had delayed the work, with mud slipping into the trench dug for the same. The rain affected the welding works also.
The MS pipe, that was used for replacing the burst pipe, was brought from Aruvikkara, where the replacement work of the 1,200-mm PSC pipeline with MS pipes is going on.
The KWA had also opened an emergency helpline -8547638181 - where the public could SMS for information or ask for assistance.