Rising sea engulfs Karnataka's coastal dwellings

With the south-western monsoons getting vigorous by the day, the sea level has started rising along coastal areas, and the sea has become rough quite early this season.

These coastal areas, which have had the worst bout of sea erosion in the last 20 years, are still enduring this, and the measures taken by the government have gone in vain.
Sea erosion has been reported on the 800-metre stretch between Kaiko and Kotepura, where over 200 families reside.

Hasanabba, a resident of Mogaveerapatna, who has been living on this stretch said, "We have been living in this risky place for the last three decades. During the last two decades, the sea level has risen considerably and beach erosion has been very rapid."

Some families complain of the sea engulfing their houses. "Two of my coconut palms have washed away last night during the storm" said Dhoomappa Kanchan, another resident.

Mangalore MLA UT Khader on Saturday visited Kotepura, Hilarynagar and Mogaveerapatna and expressed shock over the damage already done.

"This has never happened in the past. I have already alerted the district administration about the situation and perhaps, on Sunday, the officials from minor irrigation and ports will visit the spots and plan for the future course of action," he said.

The government has only one plan — to dump boulders along the sea coast during every monsoon, and the sea just takes it during the course of the year.

"This has been happening every year for the last two decades, but that measure could not stop the sea from advancing. Now, we know that the government does not have any other solution, and the dumping of the boulders was just a means to siphon off government funds" said Abdullah Sahib, a senior resident.