Date:18/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/18/stories/2007051808190300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Tidal waves lash Alappuzha

Staff Reporter

Control room opened at District Collectorate to monitor situation

NATURE'S ONSLAUGHT: Tidal waves that lashed the Alappuzha coast on Thursday resulted in sea water entering over 100 houses.

ALAPPUZHA: The tidal waves that lashed the coast of Alappuzha on Thursday created panic and several people vacated their homes in fear.

Seawater entered over 100 houses at Valiyazheekal, the tsunami-hit Arattupuzha, Ambalapuzha, Thrikkunnapuzha, Purakadu, Vandanam and Thottapally among others. The local people who left the coast returned in the evening after the waves subsided.

Roadblock

At Thottapally, residents of the Poonthala village staged a roadblock on the National Highway near the Thottapally Spillway demanding construction of a seawall. The block, which caused traffic congestion, was called off after District Collector V.K. Balakrishnan reached the spot and assured them that a seawall would be constructed within two weeks.

Mr. Balakrishnan said officials were stationed at all sensitive areas and that a control room was opened at the District Collectorate to monitor the situation round the clock.