After a suspected pipeline burst, drinking water overflowed and inundated the road near P P Chavadi in the city on Saturday.

Motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, had a tough time wading through the waters on the busy Madurai-Theni Road. A TNSTC bus proceeding towards Nagamalai Pudukottai moved at a snail’s pace as the potholes on the road were not visible as the water flowed in full force.

Pandian, a resident of Arunachalam Nagar, said the leakage was noticed around 2.30 p.m. Initially, many thought that the gutter was overflowing, but later realised it was potable water. The pipeline burst, suspected to have occured somewhere near Master Mahal, led to the constant flow and the water was kneedeep on VOC Street at 4 p.m.

A resident, who called The Hindu, expressed shock and concern over the nonchalant attitude of the civic body. When there was technology to gauge the leakage, what prevented the officials from plugging the leak, he said.

Drinking water was precious, and since it was summer, the authorities should have been alert. “Such a callous attitude showed lack of accountability and negligence in duty,” he added.

Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, when contacted, said action would be taken immediately and engineers would be sent to the spot.