Nearly a year after they launched a stiff and protracted stir demanding protection from invading tidal waves, an unexpectedly strong bout of sea incursion, triggered probably under the influence of a full moon, caught the people of the coastal panchayat of Edavanakkad unawares on Friday afternoon (June 13).
Water gushed into many households, especially in wards 9 and 13 of the panchayat, with over 150 households badly affected. Many families were having their lunch when the saline water swept in. With the impact of full moon-triggered high tide expected to last another three to four days, not to mention the threat posed by the intensifying monsoon, the coastal population anticipates a replay of the nightmarish time from the previous year.
Kitchens and toilets in many households were flooded, making living nearly impossible. “Though the Goshree Islands Development Authority sanctioned ₹35 crore for the construction of a tetrapod in the face of our protest last year, no progress has been made since then. The production of tetrapods has to be done at the site by moving in machinery, and unless it is feasible, no company is going to participate in the tender. The initial estimate of ₹56.25 crore was scaled down to ₹35 crore, making the whole project unattractive,” said V.K. Iqbal, Edavanakkad panchayat vice president.
