Coastal residents at sea on full, new moon nights

“The problem has been persisting for several years and the residents are forced to stay out of their huts during the periods of high tides which usually coincide with the full moon and new moon cycles,” said Chelladurai, one of the residents. He added that more than 20 huts of the fishermen located close to the beach are affected by the periodical phenomenon.  “We are forced to go out of our houses during the night, which inconvenience us the most. Such intrusions are happening only after the 2004 tsunami. 

Earlier, the water would rise to a great height, but would not enter our huts. After the tsunami, water intrusion has become a persistent problem for us,” said another resident. “The water will stay for nearly four hours and will recede back only in the morning,” said Chelladurai. Another problem they face in connection with the intrusion is the receding of sea water for more than a kilometre into the sea. In the process, the boats are taken back into the sea.

“We have to find our boats back after a long struggle every time the water comes in and goes back. The phenomenon was intense during the recent Super moon few days back. This time the water level was so high and we were left to stand outside our huts in knee deep salt water,” a fisherman said. “All the residents of the colony are dependent on fishing and we have no other option but to stay here and go to the sea,” said Chelladurai. The fishermen demanded the government and officials in the district administration to construct a stone wall on the sea front adjoining their hamlet to prevent such recurring sea water intrusions into their hamlet.