Coastal Communities in Kendrapara Face Rising Tidal Threats: Urgent Action Needed
Severe Tidal Wave Threat in Kendrapara
Kendrapara: Residents of coastal Kendrapara district are increasingly alarmed by the frequent tidal waves that are posing a significant risk to their lives and properties. Villagers report that these tidal surges are wreaking havoc on agricultural lands, damaging infrastructure, and undermining the foundations of buildings.
The situation has escalated to a critical level, severely impacting agriculture, which is the mainstay of the local economy. Community members are raising concerns that without immediate reinforcement of the embankments, the situation could deteriorate further. The threat stretches from Talachua panchayat in Rajnagar block to Batighar panchayat in Mahakalapara block, affecting numerous areas such as Gajaria, Utikana, Keradagada, Padmanavapur, Gopalpur, Rajgarh, Gadadharpur, and Baragaon.
During the full moon and new moon phases, high tides lead to seawater breaching the embankments, particularly affecting the banks of the Brahmani, Kharasrota, Gobari, and Hansua rivers. This intrusion of saline water is devastating various crops. In response to this escalating threat, the state government established a Coastal Embankment Division office in Aul back in 2004, tasked with safeguarding the coastal embankments in Aul, Rajkanika, Rajnagar, and Mahakalapara blocks.
In April 2022, a joint administrative survey was conducted to evaluate the effects of natural disasters on local communities. The survey team comprised the district collector, departmental officials, tehsildars, and block development officers (BDOs). However, despite the survey's findings, there has been a lack of significant action to bolster the coastline. Environmental expert Ganesh Samal and rights activist Sagar Jena highlighted that the Coastal Embankment Division is responsible for maintaining 744.47 km of embankment, including 111.53 km in Aul, 237.62 km in Mahakalapara, 302.12 km in Rajnagar, and 93.20 km in Rajkanika subdivisions.