: High tidal waves that have been lashing the coastal areas of the district for the past few days have created panic among coastal residents. With the absence of seawall in many areas, a large number of residents took to the streets demanding immediate measures to address the problem.
The situation has been particularly severe in certain areas, including the coastal areas of Ambalappuzha South, Purakkad grama panchayat and Cherthala taluk. A few houses have suffered damages in Ambalappuzha South and several faced threat of destruction with tidal waves constantly lashing against the buildings.
In Cherthala, the areas of Arthunkal, Aayiramthai, Chapakadavu, Kuthiathode and Thyckal witnessed severe tidal waves.
ADVERTISEMENT
Three houses faced destruction in Arthunkal. Revenue officials have resorted to temporary measures such as stacking up sand bags along the coastline in an attempt to minimise the extent of damage suffered by houses.
Protests were held in various parts of the district on Monday.
Hundreds of coastal residents, including women and children, laid siege to the coastal road in Chenavally, near Cherthala, seeking urgent steps by the authorities. The agitators said that the government has failed to fulfil its promise to construct seawalls wherever necessary. The residents fear that their plight could worsen with the onset of the monsoon within a few weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite assurances provided by sub collector D. Balamurali, the agitators were yet to withdraw from their agitation.
Meanwhile, Ambalappuzha MLA, G. Sudhakaran, launched a satyagraha in the chamber of the District Collector to protest against the alleged apathy of the government in the issue.
According to him, several parts of his constituency including Purakkad, Payalkulangara, Ambalappuzha, Neerkunnam, Vandanam West and Punnapra faced severe tidal attack. While the government has promised to construct 46 breakwaters, only six have been built in the region.
As many as 36 houses faced imminent destruction if high tidal waves continued to lash the area, he said. He added that his agitation will continue until the problems of the coastal residents were resolved.
The Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha has also planned a protest march to the district collectorate on Wednesday to raise similar demands.
According to Dheevara Sabha general secretary V. Dinakaran, the prime demands included allocation of Rs. 50 crore for constructing seawalls in Ambalappuzha South, Ambalappuzha North and Punnapra grama panchayats; and compensations for those who have lost their houses due to tidal attack.