The district administration has advised people against offering Karkidaka vavu bali at Shanghumughom in view of the heavy depletion of the beach caused by the constant buffeting of waves for over a week. People have been advised to offer bali at safer locations such as Varkala, Thiruvallam, Aruvikkara, Aruvippuram, and other ghats across the district.
District Collector K. Gopalakrishnan who inspected the area on Tuesday along with other officials instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that the passes issued to devotees carried a warning about the danger in conducting the ritual at Shanghumughom and to encourage devotees to opt for other locations instead. He also directed the police to ensure security arrangements on the beach.
Access blocked
Following the heavy coastal erosion, the administration has blocked access to the beach for people since Saturday last. At many places along the beach, the waves have damaged sea walls and devoured large tracts of the beach. The district administration has declared that the regulations would continue till the situation improved.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan also said the administration would recommend scientific and technical assistance for the reconstruction of the road skirting the Shanghumugham beach which was severely eroded by the strong wave action. He told the media that repairing the damaged road would not provide a lasting solution.
One side of the road has given in to the constant lashing by waves for over a week.
The Collector said any attempt to restore the road would require scientific inputs to prevent erosion caused by the constant buffeting of the waves. He said efforts were on to defend the coastal belt from Valiathura.
“We have started the process of rehabilitating families residing along the vulnerable stretches. The priority is to ensure the safety of citizens. We are doing everything to provide the people in relief camps with basic facilities,” he added.
