SEA JUMPS THE WALLS IN STATE
The
coastal belt in Kerala stretching from Kollam to Ponnani went into alert mode
on Monday,3RD September,2012, after giant waves pounded the shore,
wreaking havoc and forcing the authorities to relocate families to safer
places. Houses were flooded, sea walls destroyed, roads damaged, and boats and
fishing equipment washed away by the rough sea.Panic struck the coastal belt of
Alappuzha following reports that the sea was pulling back from the shore at
Alapad. Authorities swung into action to quell fears of a tsunami. Relief camps
were opened to accommodate people in the worst-affected areas. Ministers P.J.
Joseph and Adoor Prakash visited the affected areas.
The
heightened erosion was at its worst in the Vatanapally-Kokkenchery coastal belt
in Thrissur, Kakkathope-Lakshmipuram area in Kollam, and Kappakad to Purakkad
in Alappuzha.Scientists, however, said the erosion was not unusual and that
there was no reason to panic. Director, Centre for Earth Science Studies
(CESS), N.P. Kurian said the phenomenon was caused by a combination of tidal
influence and intense wave activity.“While heightened wave activity is usual
towards the fag end of the southwest monsoon, it was aggravated by the spring
tide since Sunday”.Dr. Kurian said the withdrawal of the sea from the shore at
Alapad could have been the result of the mud bank formation at this time of the
year. “The mud bank would have reduced the slope of the offshore region, with
the result that even a small reduction in the water level would have an
aggravated effect,” he explained.The erosion has sparked demands from the
coastal communities to rebuild the damaged coastal defences.
Prof. John Kurakar
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