While most people are waiting for the approaching rainy season, many residents along the coastal areas are in dread of it.
The fisherfolk are apprehensive whether their houses along the coastline could withstand the onslaught of rough seas during the southwest monsoon.
“It will be one more frightening season for the coastal inhabitants of Purakkad, one of the panchayats in Alappuzha, which had faced the fury of the sea in the past,” says Rahumath, president of the Purakkad grama panchayat.
“Most of the seawalls have been built many decades ago; Some of them have crossed 50 years and are in disarray. The government should strengthen the walls and construct longer breakwater facility to reduce the ferocity of waves,” she says.
Over 180 people who lost homes in sea erosion in recent years are in relief camps at different locations. Among them are scores of young women who have been forced to live under a common roof, with little personal security. Many among them are staying in the camps for about three years.
The situation at Karur LP school, one of the relief camps, is miserable. “The occupants have to vacate the school in the morning before the arrival of teachers who take classes there. They return later in the evening for the night stay. The practice has been going on for many months now.” There have been some efforts to rehabilitate them, but only a few have got alternative accommodation so far.
“The rehabilitation project under the Navakerala mission should be hastened to ensure secure homes for them. The coastal residents have been going through harrowing times due to lack of drinking water,” Ms.Rahumath says.
The State Budget had given scant regard to the project for construction of seawalls, says K.C. Venugopal, MP.
“The entire coastal stretch is under threat of sea erosion. Alappuzha district is particularly vulnerable. The government should evolve a project worth ₹2,000 crore, incorporating KIIFB funds, for constructing seawalls,” he said.
