GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 2nd April. A sudden onslaught of “monstrous” waves swept through coastal villages in Thiruvananthapuram, leaving devastation in its wake as homes were flooded, belongings washed away, and lives upturned.
In Pozhiyoor near Poovar, Ancy and her family were jolted awake by the deluge, as sea water inundated their home, erasing everything they had prepared for Easter festivities and leaving them scrambling for safety.
The abrupt fury of the sea caught coastal communities off guard, with no prior warnings from authorities exacerbating the shock and damage inflicted by the relentless waves.
“It was like a tsunami. We had no warnings from the authorities, and everything we had had gone with the water,” recounted Ancy, her voice tinged with emotion, as she surveyed the wreckage surrounding her half-damaged sea wall-bordered home.
The toll of the disaster was starkly evident, with over 100 families seeing their homes damaged, some irreparably, and fishermen suffering substantial losses as boats and fishing gear fell victim to the tempestuous waters.
“The monstrous waves continued to pound, flooding the entire area in Pozhiyoor and nearby areas for over five hours. The situation is getting worse as the waves are still very powerful and even climbing over the half-seawall constructed at Pozhiyoor,” lamented Geetha Suresh, president of Kulathoor Gram Panchayat.
The aftermath painted a grim picture, with debris from damaged homes littering the landscape, and renowned tourist spots like Poovar submerged under water. Despite the receding tide, the relentless assault of huge waves persisted, compounding the misery of affected communities.
Residents expressed frustration at the apparent neglect of authorities, particularly during election season, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive protective measures such as a full seawall.
While relief efforts were initiated, challenges persisted, with inadequate facilities at government shelters and limited healthcare infrastructure further exacerbating the plight of affected residents.
As the rough sea and monstrous waves are forecasted to persist until April 4, questions loom over the cause of this sudden phenomenon during a season typically devoid of such maritime turbulence.
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