Tamil Nadu

Strong waves pull down tenements, uproot trees

VILLUPURAM: The coastal village of Chinna Mudaliar Chavadi has become the target of strong waves that are gradually making incursions into the habitations. On Thursday, the waves pulled down not less than six dwelling units and a dozen coconut trees on the coast.

Residents feel quite helpless because they do not know how to ward off the impending danger from the rough seas, particularly during inclement weather. They are distraught because they feel that the authorities are lax in providing protective measures.

Though many official teams had visited the area to study the natural phenomenon that is gradually eroding the coastline, no tangible solution has been found yet. The district administration had gone on record stating that a Central team that inspected the village ought to submit a report on the measures to be taken.

Once such a report was ready, both the Villupuram district administration and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which share the coastline at this point, would take joint measures to alleviate the problems of the residents.

But, people deplore that the officials do not seem to show the expediency the situation warrants.

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