A decomposed body of a man was found in an overhead tank from which drinking water, under the combined Cauvery water supply scheme, is supplied to people in 11 wards in Ramanathapuram municipality.

Police said a municipal worker went up to check the water level in the 10-lakh-litre capacity tank on Wednesday, when he found the body in the tank.

On being alerted, the fire and rescue services personnel removed the body to the government district headquarters hospital for post mortem.

An forensic offcial said the body was decomposed and the man should have died four days ago. Police identified the body as that of one Sudhakar, 40.

Police said the deceased was under distress due to debts and suspected that he could have committed suicide.

He went missing about five days ago, police said. The bazaar police registered a case and are investigating.

Meanwhile, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao inspected the tank and on his order, municipal workers emptied the tank, which was full to the capacity. He directed the municipal authorities to clean and chlorinate the tank before storing water. Water supply should be resumed only after ascertaining the cleanliness and safety of the drinking water, he said. Revenue and municipality officials were present during the inspection.

No major health hazards were reported in the wards in the last few days though the people were in jitters, officials said. After the incident came to light, people emptied the stored water in their houses, they said.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).