Sea washes away five houses in Podampetta

Podampetta village is engulfed by sea water

Berhampur: Podampetta village under Palibandha Panchayat of Ganjam district again faced the nature’s fury as the tidal waves washed away 5 houses and sea water entered to ten houses of the village on Tuesday night.

Due to low pressure and depression over Bay of Bengal, the sea became furious along with the continuous rain in the coastal area from Monday onwards. It causes havoc in the coastal villages like Podampetta which is the most vulnerable spot of sea erosion and prey of tidal waves. The sea water is entering into the thatched houses of the village and creating damage to all belongings of the villagers include fish net, boats and household things.

House of L Shyam was completely washed away by the sea waves while the houses of CH Kartik, Setudu, S Bairagi, S Gureiya, L Appeya, B Naidu and B Budhiya were partly affected by this nature’s fury. Before, we had reported about the alarming situation of sea erosion and the threat over this village. It may be noted that, in the month of July, five houses were completely washed away by tidal waves.

District Administration has taken different steps to rehabilitate the villagers to a safe place near the village, but that is not completed yet. Still the building of houses on the land demarcated by the administration is not started yet.

“We have visited the spot before. We have conducted a meeting on this matter and created an action plan to develop infrastructure include road connectivity, sanitation facility, lectricity, drinking water, plantation and so on in the planned rehabilitation village for the peoples of Podampetta. Concerned Department Officials are directed for this work. We hope the rehabilitation village will be ready on the very next year”, said Ganjam Collector Dr Krishan Kumar.