Cyclone Amphan: Three houses collapse in TN due to coastal erosion

VILLUPURAM: Three houses collapsed in Bommayarpalayam fishing village in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday due to coastal erosion after sea turned rough in the impact of cyclone Amphan.
No injuries and fatalities were reported as the occupants of all the three houses had moved to their relatives’ houses in nearby tsunami quarters.
Houses of fishermen M Thiruadhi Madurai, 75 , M Sekar, 56, and Ramalingam, 70, collapsed.
VAO of Bommayarpalayam T Sashti Kumaran said , “More than 350 fishermen families had been living in Bommayarpalayam fishing village. After the 2004 tsunami, most fishermen families moved to tsunami quarters. Only a few elderly fishermen occupy the old houses.”
Madurai, who lost his house, said, “More than 100 houses and 100 boats have been damaged coastal erosion in the last 10 years. If district administration fails to initiate appropriate action, we will stage a protest in front of Villupuram collector office and hold a road blockade on the ECR.”
Villupuram district collector A Anna Durai and fisheries department officials visited the spot and promised to take appropriate action.
District assistant director of fisheries M Chinna Kuppan said, “Following a proposal of the Villupuram district administration, a fund of Rs 20 crore was sanctioned in January to install geotextile tube in the east coastal area covering the entire Bommayarpalayam village. This will prevent coastal erosion as well as seawater intrusion into the village.”