CUDDALORE: Residents of Akkaraikori, a coastal village near Cuddalore port are living in fear of the advancing sea water. The villagers have requested the district administration to build a protective wall along the coastline.
Akkaraikori has been facing coastal erosion for the past three months. So far, six houses, a public toilet and a road have been completely damaged by the waves.
The last house that collapsed belonged to one Mahesh. Those who lost their houses have been staying in their relatives or friends’ houses. “The district administration should arrange alternative accommodation for us,” one of the residents, who lost his house, said.
Villagers said that two more houses are on the verge of collapse and wanted the authorities to construct a protective wall along the coast.
Local MLA and Commercial Tax and Registration Minister M C Sampath, Fisheries Minister K A Jayapal and collector S Suresh Kumar had visited the village early last month to hear the grievances..
The villagers had requested the ministers to take measures to put rocks along the coastline and plant palm trees to control sea waves. He assured to take take necessary steps.
A few days later, another house collapsed and villagers announced a protest. “After announcement of protest, officials swung into action and planted palm trees along 150 meters of the coast,” a villager said. However, the late action has not helped in reducing the fury of waves.