Beach still battered by swell waves

The Shanghumughom beach and nearby areas remained out of bounds for the second day as the swell waves continued the onslaught on the district’s coast.

The district administration had decided to impose restrictions on entry to the beach for two days from Tuesday, after a part of the road at one end of the beach caved in.

Only one-lane traffic is possible on the road in front of the beach as barricades have been put up, to prevent people from venturing into the danger area. Police personnel have been posted here to warn visitors, who enter the area to click photographs despite restrictions.

“Compared to yesterday, the sea is relatively calm at present. Though the intensity has reduced, waves are still regularly reaching almost to the edge of the road. So, it is not safe at present,” says Mathias, a resident of the area.

Tourism Director P. Balakiran visited the beach to evaluate the safety measures. Warning boards have been put up to prevent the entry of tourists. The District Collector and the District Tourism Promotion Council have requested people to stay off the beach for the next two days.

At the Valiathura coast, fishermen started venturing into the sea in the evening. But fishing activity was restricted only to a short distance from the coast.

“We are all still wary of the sea, as the memories of Cyclone Ockhi are still fresh. We do not want to take any chances. Until the situation is back to normal, fishing activity will be mostly during the day and late evening. No one will venture out late in the night,” says Antony, a fish worker. The families who have shifted to relief camps continue to stay there as the waves have still not receded from near their houses.