Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, June 12: In spite of the fact that initial monsoon rain was not heavy, sea erosion has aggravated at Mukkacheri, Quinriya Nagar and various parts of Someshwar on the outskirts of the city on the night of Tuesday, June 11.

In total, 15 houses were destroyed by the huge waves that crashed onto the shore and the residents are still in shock to witness the behaviour of the sea in the midnight before the arrival of cyclone ‘Vayu’, which is expected to hit the shore on Thursday, June 13. Houses belonging to Hameed, Bava and Mohiuddin were completely washed into the sea. Other 12 houses are partially damaged due to tidal waves. Waves of gigantic proportion are still lashing at Someshwar, Uchila and Mukkacherry. More damage is expected by evening of June 12.

When the team of Daijiworld visited the spot where maximum damage had occurred, on the morning of Wednesday, June 12, locals showed their anger on local administration for not making immediate arrangements to face the dangerous situation and relocate the victims, who have lost their houses. They said, “In the night itself, we had informed the authorities and administration, but no one has visited the spot till now. It shows that the administration is not interested in the lives of people who reside on seashores.”

The locals also informed that the sea wall constructed in Mukkacheri area in the last week of May is not constructed properly and is done in an unscientific manner. Rough waves destroyed the sea wall also and washed away the houses.

Sharing the panic situation, Kamarunnisa, a resident Mukkacheri said, “Days before, we were alerted about ‘Vayu’ cyclone. Hence, since three days I am sending my children to my relatives’ house in the night, which is a little bit far from here. We are spending sleepless nights from the past many days and yesterday all of a sudden, the sea got rough and monster waves crashed the houses. We lost everything and in this situation, we have to pass the day with the dress which we wore on the night of Tuesday, June 11.”

Speaking to Daijiworld, Abbas, a local said, “Every year, the government spends crores of rupees for the construction of sea walls. But we do not know where the money goes? For name sake, the contractors place stones on the sea shore in an unscientific manner and every year, the sea destroys the wall. Instead of evacuating the residents or shifting them to other places with a compensation, the government is pouring money into the sea. People are ready to move from here, if they get proper compensation or rehabilitation.”

India Meteorological Department issued a red alert on Vayu cyclone which is likely to make a landfall over the Saurashtra Coast of Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra. The Karnataka coast also will experience the effect of cyclone. The district administration has issued strict notice to people residing near the sea shore to move to safer places. Many residents of Mukkacheri and Someshwar seashore have already moved to other places for a temporary period of time and some are planning to move on Wednesday, June 11.