Hundreds of houses in Chellanam and Edavanakkad in Ernakulam continued to bear the brunt of rough weather conditions and heavy rain that triggered flooding and large-scale sea incursion at Kannamaly, Cheriyakadavu, Saudi, and Manassery near Fort Kochi and in Edavanakkad panchayat, north of Puthuvype, on June 27 (Thursday).
Flooding is more intense in the Kannamaly area extending up to Beach Road where sea is flowing freely onto the shores and into homes. According to V.T. Sebastian from Chellanam, residents continue to occupy inundated homes despite the high tide. A group led by him has been calling for a permanent solution to sea erosion for the segment between Kannamaly and Fort Kochi for a while now.
Mallika, 68, was born and brought up near the Aniyil beach in Edavanakkad. She lost her house in the 2004 Tsunami and since then has been living with her daughter. Several of her neighbours have packed up and gone because of the incessant threat of sea erosion. However, she continues to live close to the beach where sea erosion is rampant and poses a big threat. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Mallika Anchuthaikkal, 68, has seen the sea change its nature over the past several decades. She lives close to Aniyil beach in Edavanakkad, a little of which is now left after the last few days of sea incursion and flooding. She said that she had lost her house during the Tsunami in 2004. Several of her neighbours had already packed up and left in the midst of continuous threat from the sea, she added.
The situation at Pazhangad beach, north of Aniyil, was no better, said M.D. Jibin, a fisherman, who spoke about the precarious situation for hundreds of families. At least 300 families were hit by flooding on Wednesday, said V.K. Iqbal, vice president of Edvanakkad panchayat. He said most houses on the western side of the road at Aniyil and neighbouring areas had been affected.
The situation was grimmer in Chellanam, where at least 5,000 people had been hit by flooding, said Mr. Sebastian. He pointed out that they did not want to move to safer grounds as the camps would have little facilities like drinking water, clean bathrooms, and food.
Along with homes, people’s livelihoods have also been affected. Anish Aramcheri near Edvanakkad had witnessed fish farms in the area being flooded during the high tide on Wednesday.
Residents blocking Vypeen-Munambam Road near Nayarambalam protesting against sea incursion in Edavanakkad. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Residents of Edvanakkad blocked the road between Vypeen and Munambam from 8 a.m. on June 26 (Wednesday) protesting against the alleged failure of authorities to address the recurring issue of flooding. Mr. Jibi said the residents had been petitioning the authorities for nearly a decade now.
The sea continues to be rough at Kannamaly with high waves lashing over geotextile bags laid along a section of the coast to resist sea incursion, leading to flooding in the village. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
He added that the coastal highway, being planned close to the beach, would not withstand the increasing intensity of sea erosion. Sea wall to prevent sea incursion is a must for the entire segment from Vypeen, he said.
