Sea erosion alert at beaches as monsoon hits Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After three days of widespread heavy rains in Kerala, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared the onset of southwest(SW) monsoon in Kerala on Tuesday, as per its earlier predicted date of May 29.
The 14 rainfall monitoring stations for monsoon onset over Kerala has reported more than 60 percent rains which set the parameter for declaring the SW Monsoon in Kerala, IMD officials said. With that, heavy to very heavy rains are set to lash parts of Kerala till May 31, followed by thundershowers in parts of the state till June 2. Strong winds, rough sea and high waves will lead to sea erosion, flash floods, landslides and debris flows in coastal areas of the state, warned disaster management officials. Due to sea erosion, prohibitory order has been issued by District Disaster Management Authority chairman K Vasuki to prohibit entry of the public and tourists to Sanghumugham beach due to sea erosion from 5 pm on May 29 and directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanghumugham sub division to ensure strict surveillance along the beach to ensure the compliance.

The order to prohibit public in Shankumukham beach was issued based on the IMD prediction that high swell waves will rough sea will continue for next few days at Shankumukham beach which is already affected by sea erosion. Officials of Major irrigation, PWD and other departments had indicated that boulders or granite rocks along the footpath in the beach is devastated and the adjacent road is severely affected, The Tahsildar here had also sought immediate intervention of district authorities warranting to avert possible danger to the life of public and tourists visiting Sanghumugham beach in particular. District Tourism Promotion Council secretary has been told to erect necessary notice boards displaying that the entry into the beach is prohibited.


IMD, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) had warned of rough seas and high waves across Kerala coast. High waves in the range of 2.5 - 3.5 meters (8 to 12 feet) are forecast during 5.30 pm on May 29 to 11.30 pm on May 30 along the coast of Kerala from Vizhinjam to Kasaragod, KSDMA scientists said. KSDMA has also sounded a high alert advising the maritime ports in Kerala to hoist cautionary Signal 3 which warns of adverse weather conditions with gusty winds and high waves in the sea.

“Heavy to very heavy rains are forecast in parts of Kerala till May 31 followed by rain or thundershowers till June 2. Due to strong winds in the range of 40 to 50 kmph guting upto 60 kmph and due to high waves, rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea,” IMD director K Santosh said. In the last 24 hours Ponnani in Malappuram received the maximum 16 cm rains followed by Peermade in Idukki with 12 cm rains.