Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madras (Agenzia Fides) - The coastal parishes of Kottar and Trivandrum dioceses in the Southernmost Kanyakumari district have been heavily eroded during the past week resulting in hardship to the parishioners. With the onset of the South West monsoon from the first week of June, the coasts have been eroded with unusual high tides, gigantic waves and unanticipated receding of the sea occurs often, which sent shock waves in the psychic of the fish workers, SAR NEWS reports.
In many parishes, the coastal roads have been severely damaged, electric posts and coconut trees uprooted and houses adjoining the coast have collapsed in the impact. Seawater has entered into the houses in Poothurai and Anchu Thengu. Mammoth stones laid to block seawaves have been dragged out of their places and the waves surged beyond the groynes, laid as protective walls. The ferry service to Vivekananda Rock and Thiruvalluvar Statue in the midsea has been suspended owing to the ferocity of the seas and receding of seawater for quite a long distance. A boat was tossed by sea waves and turned upside down in mid sea on June19, where five parishioners of Neerodi went for fishing, while Arokiadason (22) died, and Anthony (9) could not be saved, who were left helpless in the sea for 12 hours without any relief. Father Bevinson of Neerody parish said the parish authorities had informed the government to trace the missing fish worker. Fish workers live in 48 coastal parishes in the district. Majority of them eke out their livelihood by depending on country boats and crafts. The Asian tsunami of 2004 took a heavy toll on them, their residences and livelihood materials. (K.P.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2007; righe 18, parole 258)
