Daijiworld Media Netowork - Kundapur(SP)

Kundapur, Aug 2: Sea erosion suddenly attained intensity at Nagur-Hosahithlu on Friday August 1, endangering the houses of over 60 fishermen.

The boulder barriers erected against the onslaught of the sea in the past, have been drafted into the depths of the sea and the sea has been relentlessly invading the coastal line. About a kilometre stretch of the seashore from Madi in Hosahithlu to Badamane Hithlu has been bearing the brunt of the erosion, with the casuarina and coconut trees lining the beach slowly getting uptrooted one by one. Already a big chunk of the beach has been swallowed by the surging sea. Giant-sized waves have been hitting the fisheries road and houses of fishermen Susheela Kanchanamane, Guruva Chandan, Martainamane Ramachandra etc.,

The district in charge minister, officials and many peoples' representatives had visited the spot recently and assured the people of protecting their lives and property. However, no immediate measures have so far been taken. If the intensity of the sea erosion continues, these people may have to abandon their homes and shift to higher altitudes.

Elsewhere in the district, worsened sea erosion claimed a large chunk of the fisheries road in Yermal village near Padubidri on Friday August 1.

The road, connecting Yermal Tenka with Yermal Bada village, was washed away near Tottam Somaiah Belchada's house for about five metres, taking alongwith it, more than 12 coconut trees in the bargain. The region was facing grave threat from the tide at night on new moon day, Friday. Sea water also gushed into the courtyards of several houses here, and since the road which acted as a barrier, has been breached, houses located on the other side are facing threat. Local people who are facing imminent threat to their houses have complained, that none of the peoples' representatives have come to their rescue.

After a local leader contacted the district deputy commissioner and passed on the information, engineers from the ports and fisheries department visited the spot and conducted inspection. Assistant executive engineer Narayanappa has informed, that the deputy commissioner has ordered initiation of protective barrier construction from Saturday morning itself. Once the barrier is erected, the road will be rebuilt, he said.

The erosion revisited the residents living near Kanakoda Pandarinath Bhajana Mandir region in Udyavar gram panchayat. An electric pole that has come under attack by the waves, faces the danger of getting uprooted. Fisheries road located in the village too has been attacked by the surging sea.