Siali Beach Faces Devastating Tidal Intrusion: Residents Demand Urgent Action
Tidal Waves Cause Panic at Siali Beach
Late Friday night, high tidal waves breached the coastline near Siali beach in the Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district, leading to flooding in parts of the coastal village and causing panic among both residents and visitors.
The sea surged inland from the Siali beach festival stage, reaching a vehicle parking area and inundating temporary stalls, roadside food vendors, and sections of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) guest house.
By Saturday morning, the tidal intrusion worsened, extending beyond the beach into temporary shops and lodging facilities, even affecting the boundary wall of the OTDC guesthouse.
This situation has raised alarms among locals from nearby villages, including Siali, Kalabedi, Ramtara, Shankha, and Noliasahi, all part of the Padmapur panchayat.
Residents from other coastal panchayats like Gadabishunipur, Gadaharishpur, and Ambiki have also voiced their concerns regarding the unpredictable behavior of the sea. The region has been experiencing continuous rainfall since May 22 due to a low-pressure system, which may have contributed to the sea's unrest.
Siali beach, recognized for its scenic beauty, was included in the state tourism map in 2014 and attracts visitors year-round from Odisha and beyond. In response to this influx, OTDC built a tourist guesthouse near the beach.
However, locals express disappointment over the lack of permanent coastal protection measures to defend against high tides and seawater intrusion.
Previously, temporary barriers made of wooden poles and fishing nets were set up as a short-term solution, but these were ultimately washed away by powerful tides.
Last year, a watchtower that had become structurally unsound due to tidal erosion was removed by the administration.
Moreover, the main stage of the Siali beach festival was reportedly engulfed by the sea during the recent tide.
Despite ongoing requests from local stakeholders for effective coastal protection, residents claim that no significant progress has been made.
Pranata Giri, a resident of Padmapur panchayat, expressed frustration that the proposed stone embankment under the Sagarmala project remains unimplemented.
When reached for comment, Erasama Block Development Officer (BDO) Dasharatha Jena mentioned that discussions have taken place with the District Collector, assuring that necessary actions will be initiated soon.
Local Sarpanch Pratibharani Patra highlighted that a natural sand dune once served as a protective barrier for the coastline, but it has since eroded, allowing even moderate tides to breach the shore.
She called on the government to provide a lasting solution to ensure the safety of the region.