T’puram: Severe sea erosion has once again battered the coastal areas of Pozhiyoor, damaging houses, destroying a connecting road and threatening the cemetery of St Mary Magdalene Church at Paruthiyoor, near Thekke Kollencode following heavy rain on Monday.The cemetery compound wall has collapsed under the impact of powerful waves, leaving graves vulnerable to further damage. Around five houses in the area have also suffered damage.The Thekke Kollencode-Neerody border road has been completely destroyed by the sea, disrupting connectivity and causing considerable hardship to fishing families. Residents are facing difficulties travelling between coastal settlements, while the loss of access has also complicated the transportation of bodies to the cemetery for burial.The latest destruction has renewed demand for the immediate construction of groynes along the coastal stretch from Thekke Kollencode to Paruthiyoor. Residents fear that further delay in implementing permanent coastal protection measures could leave the area exposed to even more severe damage.A similar episode in May this year saw coastal roads and residential areas in the Pozhiyoor-Neerody belt suffer extensive damage, highlighting the vulnerability of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border region.The state govt launched a Rs 93.22-crore coastal protection project in Sept, covering around 1,700m of coastline. The project envisages a combination of a seawall and 11 tetrapod groynes and is being funded through KIIFB, with implementation entrusted to Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation. However, residents are demanding urgent protection for the worst-affected stretches.“The repeated sea attacks have caused serious damage to houses, roads and the cemetery. The immediate priority is to protect vulnerable families and restore connectivity. We will take up the issue with the authorities and seek urgent intervention to ensure that the coastal protection works are expedited,” said the Kulathoor panchayat president. P N Jinesh.Residents said temporary repairs would not provide lasting relief and urged authorities to prioritise the Thekke Kollencode-Paruthiyoor stretch before the next spell of rough seas causes further destruction.
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