Sea erosion damages 40 houses, road washed away

As many as 40 houses have been damaged due to sea erosion in Ullal, Someshwar and Uchil areas. Meenakaliya-Kurikatta Road under Panambur Bengre ward has been washed away to a length of about 500 metres. This came to light at a meeting convened by Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, at the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Tuesday. Mr. Kateel had convened the meeting on sea erosion and measures taken by the district administration. Raghuveer, councillor from Panambur Bengre ward, said that Meenakaliya-Kurikatta Road used by fishermen has been facing erosion for the last one week and was washed away to a length of 500 metres. Many families live beyond this road. A house has been destroyed in the erosion, he said. He said that residents of 20 houses were now taking shelter in the dwellings of their relatives fearing further advancement of the rough sea. An official from the office of the Tahsildar said that 40 houses have been damaged in Ullal area. Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said that Rs. 70,000 would be given away to those who lost their houses completely. Chandrashekar Uchil, a gram panchayat member from Uchil, said that he lost his house completely but was given a compensation of only Rs. 12,600. To this, Mr. Kateel instructed Mr. Ibrahim to look into this. The MP instructed the district administration to open gruel centres and medical centres in Panambur and Ullal areas as sea erosion is likely to be severe once rains instensify. -The Hindu