‘Living in fear since 1999’: Locals share concerns as Jagatsinghpur coast continues to erode

Jagatsinghpur district is facing an alarming situation as the sea has once again breached the coastline. The breach has occurred near Siali and Ramtara, advancing dangerously towards human settlements and farmland. The continuous ingress of seawater over the past four days has left residents anxious and farmlands devastated.

According to reports, the sea has advanced nearly 700 metres inland, inundating agricultural land in Ramtara, Siali and Kalabedi villages. Saline water has spread across farmlands, causing extensive crop damage and raising fears of long-term soil degradation. The advancing seawater has also affected large stretches of casuarina forest that once served as a natural barrier.

New River Mouth Intensifies Concern

Residents said a new river mouth has formed in the area, intensifying their fears. The sudden and aggressive behaviour of the sea has left coastal villages of Siali, Ramtara and Kalabedi deeply unsettled, with many fearing further erosion and destruction in the coming days.

Here’s How Locals React To The Looming Fear

A local resident said, “We have lived in fear since 1999. Each year, the sea eats away more land, but this time it has advanced by nearly 200–300 metres. We have urged the government to plant mangrove forests, but nothing has been done. We now appeal for the construction of a sea wall.”

A farmer expressed his concerns, saying, “Our farmlands are flooded with seawater, and all our crops have been destroyed.”

Urgent Need For Coastal Protection

As the sea continues to push inland, villagers have renewed calls for concrete coastal protection measures, including mangrove plantation and construction of a sea wall, to safeguard lives, livelihoods and agricultural land from further destruction.