KODUNGALLUR:The people who live in the coastal areas of Kodungallur remain highly vulnerable to the deadly impact of rough sea during every monsoon season, thanks to a set of unkept promises and lackadaisical attitude of the authorities.
Each year, the rough sea wreaks havoc along the coastline here, causing extensive damage worth lakhs of rupees to crops and property and triggering panic along the coastal areas of the ancient port town.
But the authorities concerned are yet to chalk out an effective strategy to tackle the perennial disaster and the coastal areas of the town are one of the worst-prepared spots in the state in dealing with a natural disaster like rough sea and subsequent sea erosion.
The people in the coastal areas of the town are used to be displaced to relief camps with the beginning of monsoon, and have got acquainted with the climatic vagaries of the sea, said 34-year-old Ramesh of Kara, who lives close to the sea. The local residents of the areas who are forced to displace themselves every year by the ferocious high tidal waves are vexed by the tardy relief measures provided by the authorities.
‘’What we require is a lasting solution to save our property from the raging sea and erosion and not any temporary sops like free ration and a few days’ shelter at relief camps,’’ says Muhammed, a resident of Eriyad in Kodungallur. ‘’It appears that no one is genuinely concerned about our plight,’’ he adds.