Incessant rains since past few weeks in Udupi district have heightened the sea erosion threat in Tenka Yermal, Malpe and in Kundapur taluk. Though the rains have receded on Wednesday offering some respite to the citizens, the sea erosion continuous to haunt those who live near the seashore.
The sources from DC Office control room stated that the sea erosion menace has increased in the coastal stretch. In Udupi taluk the sea coast adjacent to the Patabhiram Bhajan Mandir in Mattu village has been massively affected. The 150-metre seacoast is under erosion.
The coconut trees belonging to one Raju Kotiyan are at the brink of being uprooted and the walls of a nearby crematorium have collapsed. In Padubidri, the fisheries road
passing through Kaddipatna village is damaged following the sea erosion in the area.
In Kundapur taluk, the area surrounding Kanchigodu village in Maravanthe is prone to sea erosion. Besides, the threat of sea erosion has brought fear among the residents in Bengre, Madhwanagar in Padubidri and in Tenka village.
A fisheries road in Tenka Yermal which was favour-finished last year was cut off in five places on Wednesday in the afternoon during the high tide hours. Six houses near ‘Ameen Moolastana’ area are facing danger as sea water has hit the walls of these houses surpassing the boulders placed. About 20 coconut trees of Gangadhar Suvarna were washed away in sea water in Thottam. A house of one Vishwanath in Tenka is also facing danger due to intensified sea erosion.
Residents in Tenka village attributed the intensified sea erosion to breakwater constructed by UPCL and urged the authorities to clear this makeshift breakwater. Houses of Sushila Karkera, Sunder Suvarna, Lingappa Puthran and Bharathi Kotian in Tenka village are in danger. A house of Balappa Gurikara in Bengre is also facing risk.
Sea erosion in Malpe continued even on Wednesday though rains have receded in Udupi. Sea erosion had started near Hanuman Nagar, Kola areas in Malpe on Sunday and continued on Wednesday.
The stone benches which were facilitated for the relaxation of tourists and local people were washed away by the huge sea waves. Sea water has also entered few houses in Kola area. Footfall of tourists in the Malpe beach has also decreased due to increased sea erosion. Saline water has gushed into the low lying areas.
Two electric poles were damaged near Jattigeshwara temple in Kota Manoor Padukere area. Boulders which were placed to check sea erosion have been washed away in the area. However, sea erosion in Kodi of Kundapur provoked residents to protest against the apathy of the authorities as the road is on the verge of getting washed away as no barricade stones were placed.
The district received an overall 53.33 mm rainfall for the last 24 hours. Udupi taluk recorded 38.20 mm rain, while Kundapur recorded 37 mm and Karkala received 84.80 mm rainfall respectively.