“Over the years, the waves have taken three rows of houses,” says Albert, 74, a Valiyathura local. To the south of Valiyathura Pier, huge boulders have been stacked for a short distance but vast stretches remain undefended. On May 22, the State government issued administrative sanction for carrying out three anti-sea erosion works at Valiyathura for ₹4 crore. “The Chief Engineer (Irrigation and Administration) will implement (the work) on urgent disaster management work basis,” the order issued by B. Ashok, Secretary (Water Resources), reads. Families who lost their houses to the sea moved into government-built flats at Muttathara in 2018.

Source: The Hindu May 31, 2020 13:52 UTC