The worries of the natives of the coastal areas of Ponnani are deeper than the sea as they are living in constant fear of sea surge. The latest sea surge that erupted a few days ago devastated the area further amid
promises from the officials to solve their long-pending problems.
Puthuponnani, Jeelani Nagar Nalamkallu and Mulla Road are the areas which suffered damages due to sea surge. It has now three months since the sea surge started in these areas. The assurances by the officials about a permanent solution to the menace also have the same age. But nothing has been materialised so far.
More than 25 houses and about 10 acres of land have been submerged in the sea during the past three months. Hundreds of coconut trees were also uprooted. Many houses near the areas are still facing the threat.
At present, the distance between Mulla Road and sea is only 10 metre long and between national high way and sea is 100 metres. Puthuponnani Yatheemkhana and High School are also facing threat from a turbulent
sea. “I have contacted the government many times citing the plight of the coastal line natives. But they only took some temporary measures to solve the issue and nothing among them is functioning now. The government
has taken the stand that only a breakwater would provide permanent solution to the issues of people living in coastal area,” local MLA P Sreeramakrishnan said. However, the government has not yet guaranteed a fixed time period for constructing a breakwater here. It is obvious from the words of the officials that there would not be a permanent solution in the near future for the plight of people living in Ponnani coastal line.