MANGALURU: A downpour in coastal areas in recent days has triggered erosion in several parts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district, prompting local authorities to shift four families to safer places.
The authorities have acted swiftly in places like Someshwara-Uchila in Dakshina Kannada and Gangolli and Kodi Bengre in Udupi district, placing boulders to arrest further erosion. “As the intensity of sea erosion is very severe in Someshwar Uchil, two families have been shifted to safer places while families living in two other houses too have shifted as a precautionary measure,” executive engineer (port and fisheries), T S Rathod, told DC after visiting the affected areas.
Sea erosion has spread to some new areas this year. “Sea erosion is recorded in places like Gangolli, Hosahithlu and Kalihithlu in Udupi district for the first time,” he said adding that with the road and houses likely to be impacted at Gangolli, the department has decided to start placing boulders. “Udupi district administration has already sent a proposal to the state government, seeking Rs five crores for temporary work to minimize the impact of sea erosion. We are planning to send a similar proposal from Dakshina Kannada too. However, emergency work will commence immediately,” he added. Officials have commenced work on a permanent retaining wall to contain erosion during the monsoon in some places in Udupi and DK districts.
Meanwhile, continuous rain during last few days has set off an increase in water level in rivers in the region. In Uttara Kannada, 35 houses have been damaged and 10 head of cattle lost because of torrential rain.
