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Major disaster averted in Madras

Madras and its northern suburbs were saved from a major disaster as the water gushing out of the Puzhal reservoir following a breach in its walls was controlled early today.

The breach, which had occurred around 2000 hours yesterday, soon developed into a 30-feet-long, 25-feet-wide gap. As a result, water started gushing out, inundating a nearby engineering college and fields. This caused panic among the local residents and the authorities.

The reservoir, located 30 kilometres north-west of Madras, is one of the three major sources of drinking water to the city.

The breach had taken place near a metro water tower at Soorappattu on the Puzhal-Ambattur road.

A UNI correspondent, who visited the spot this morning, could witness hectic activity involving personnel from the metro water and public works departments to plug the breach.

Local Administration Minister Ko Si Mani, who is supervising the plugging operations, told the media that cracks in the century-old pipes could have caused the breach.

UNI

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