Sea erosion in Kulasekarapattinam and accretion in Manappad in Thoothukudi district cause for concern

While the advancing sea erosion at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district has raised concern among villagers and environmentalists, Manappad, another coastal village, faces the challenge of land expansion on the shoreline due to accretion.

The erosion has intensified along the shoreline of Kulasekarapattinam, where a large number of palm trees have collapsed into the sea. A small pit has also begun to develop along the coast, further indicating the increasing land loss.

V. Gunaseelan of Thoothukudi Environment Protection Movement says the number of palm trees collapsing along the coast has significantly increased over the past three months. Man-made structures, including a bridge connecting the coal jetty with Udangudi Thermal Power plant, and multiple groynes have contributed to the worsening situation.

“The government is focusing on short-term solutions such as construction of groynes or sea walls in every coastal hamlet rather than on a long-term or permanent solution to address the issue,” he added.

In Manapad, however, accretion poses a threat to the region, as it has led to gradual expansion of the shoreline. Due to excessive accumulation of sand, fishermen have been unable to venture into the sea, as moving the fibre boats through the thick sand has become difficult. The situation is affecting around 280 fibre boats in the region.

Jayan (name changed), a fisherman from Manapad, says the boats have remained idle for the past five days due to accretion. Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi has arranged for an earth mover to remove the sand, with operators’ expenses to be paid by the villagers. However, despite continuous efforts the impact of accretion is increasing day by day.

Megha from Poovulagin Nanbargal, an environmental organisation, says in Tamil Nadu the wind direction over the sea typically flows from south to north for about 8-9 months and north to south during the northeast monsoon. The sediments carried by the ocean current moves in the direction of the wind. Erosion occurs in areas where strong ocean currents remove sediments from the shoreline and accretion happens where the current slows down, allowing sediments to settle and gradually build up the land, which depends on wave action, tides and human activities affecting coastal dynamics.

As erosion and accretion continue to impact different parts of the coastline in the district, experts have emphasised the need for sustainable and long-term solutions to mitigate the challenges.