Bhatkal: Although the rain has taken a break since two days but the issue of sea erosion has been intensified at Honnegadde-Hertar region, in Heble Gram panchayat limits, in Bhatkal taluk which is worrying the people.

In the Bhatkal Taluk, the sea erosion has engulfed the huge stretch of coastline from Gorte to Bailur. The protective wall built in  certain area to stop the huge waves were swallowed by the sea which has led to huge waste of public money. 

Sea erosion has become an annual problem in Honnegadde. The high tidal waves are crossing over protective wall and lashing the nearby areas. Already, six to seven houses are on the verge of danger and coconut trees, on the shore, are about to be uprooted. 

Sounds of waves crashing has distrupted the normal life of the people who are living with constant fear. The locals are scared to send their children to the school because of the abraded roads. 

Incomplete work

While part of the protective wall has been washed away by the sea, the 2 km road along the shore has been damaged due to sea erosion. If the intensity of rain increases, more than 50 houses will face danger immediately, said Krishna Mogere, a localite. “Though the construction of protective wall in Honnegadde area was taken up by Minor Irrigation Department, the work has not been completed. Also, the intensity of the tidal waves is so high that the stones of the protective wall are joining the sea. Therefore, there is need to find a permanent solution,” said Mogere.

Ganapathi Naik, who has his house near the shore, said waves are not only crossing the protective wall but also entering agriculture lands and also house premises. This is giving us sleepless nights.

Due to sea erosion, electric poles here also been uprooted and there has been no power supply.

He said it has become a challenge for them to protect themselves and their properties due to sea erosion in rainy season every year as no permanent solution has been offered. 

The locals blamed the government for the neglect. "The government has not paid any attention this problem. Foreign countries have arranged machineries to pump out the sea water to impede the erosion but nothing of such sort is seen here."

According to public, dumping boulders is a a waste of public fund and the government should take necessary precautions to prevent sea erosion before the onset of monsoon. "The officials lie in wait of the rainy season and then create a sea barrier by dumping boulders. This has been a way to earn more money by the officials. When the boulders are encompassed by the sea, the same process repeats the next year and the official extract more fund in the name of this project", accused the public.