Pics: Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 23: Because of volatile climate since the last few days, Arabian sea has turned rough and choppy, putting fishermen and people living near the sea in particular to lot of problems. There are reports of sea water entering residential areas at various places. Therefore, officials are keeping a close watch on the situation.

After high waves hit the seashore at Ullal and Uchila on Sunday April 22, sea water flowed into some localities and about 80 houses were covered in water . People say that the tide-like situation arising out of swelling sea has occurred for the first time and they as well as elders in their families have never witnessed such a scenario in their lives so far. This has made people fearful.

Three families from Uchila, belonging to Manohar Uchil, Ramachandra and Sudheer, living on Beach Road which were facing grave danger, were shifted. Deputy commissioner of the district and revenue officials visited spot and inspected the situation.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services had alerted the fisheries department in advance about the possibility of sea waves gaining in size and intensity on account of sudden change in climatic conditions on Saturday and Sunday. People in Ullal and Uchila said that they had not experienced swelling of the sea to such an extent even during Ockhi cyclone. A sudden rise in the level of sea water was witnessed at around 10 am on Sunday and huge waves lashed the seashore at 12 pm.

In Uhila area over 50 houses were surrounded by sea water. Peribail, Battappady, New Uchila in Someshwar Uchila experienced tide with over 50 houses having been covered by water. Firemen and police visited the area and camped there for the night to take care of unexpected situations. Members of local organizations involved with rescuing people in danger asked tourists individually not to approach the sea.

Boats in coastal Karnataka which had left for fishing have returned.

As huge waves hit the beach at Malpe and sea water flowed till the road, duly covering the entire area where facility has been provided for visitors to get seated, tourists were asked not to get too close to the sea. Warning messages are being conveyed over loud speaker there. Tourist boat services to St Mary's Island have been suspended temporarily, on account of which several tourists had to return disappointed.

President of Ullal Mogaveera Sangha, Bharat Kumar Ullal, blamed unscientific berms and distance of 1,070 metres between the two reefs as responsible for the flood-like situation. He said that the people are afraid that the problem will become acute during the rainy season.