Sea erosion in Kollam coast gives sleepless nights to residents

Kollam: The people living along the coastline of Kollam are  scared of the monsoon due to the threat of sea erosion. The coastal area stretching over 37 km  from Paravoor to Azheekkal is  vulnerable and several houses in   Chavara and Thangasseri were destroyed recently.

A report submitted by an expert team from IIT Chennai pointed out that the construction of breakwaters intermittently along the affected areas would curb sea erosion  more effectively than sea walls. An experimental construction on the north of Alappad panchayat  by the team had  proved to be successful. 

The areas  covered by breakwater tend to develop new soil deposits which will counter sea erosion. However, no follow-up action has been taken.

Coastal roads are also in a dilapidated condition due to huge waves and tides. The government had sanctioned `1.8 crore for the construction of sea wall from Kakkathoppe to

Thanni, but the work has reac-hed nowhere, say residents. “The authorities are waiting for ‘emergency works’ from which they will benefit. During such times,   unaccounted money is spent  in the name of depositing rocks in the seabed. Manipulations are made in the accounts as the number of loads deposited in the water cannot be scrutinised,” alleged Subhash Kalavara, sea wall and breakwater workers’ union president.

Meanwhile, contractors are also reluctant to take  up work due to the  delay in sanctioning of funds. The maintenance work of the existing sea wall also has been halted. Mayyanadu, Iravipuram, Kakkathoppe,  and Chavara, notorious for sea fury, also lack proper protective walls.