The residents along the coastal belt in the city are a worried lot as strong waves have been lashing these areas for the past two days, damaging many houses. Valiyathura and the adjacent areas are the worst-affected with numerous residents heading for their relatives’ houses and a school nearby for temporary relief. While strong waves have been lashing the area for some weeks, the situation has worsened since Monday with water entering over 100 houses along the coastline. Many houses have suffered damage, says Sheeba Patrick, Valiyathura ward councillor. However, the district authorities claimed that the extent of damage remained low and pegged the number of affected houses at eight. Absence of seawall According to Ms. Patrick, the absence of a seawall has endangered the lives of the residents in the region, predominantly the fishing community. The demand for a permanent construction along the coastline from Shanghumughom to Poonthura is a long-standing one. However, the authorities have turned a blind eye towards the problems of the coastal residents. The problems caused by sea erosion is expected to worsen with the construction of the port at Vizhinjam, she said. The residents are angered by the alleged apathy on the part of the authorities. They claimed that officials have not visited the affected areas to take stock of the situation. The slow pace in undertaking construction of flats at Muttathara to rehabilitate the fishing community has also come under criticism. The delay has apparently prevented the 160 families who have been allotted flats from shifting to safer areas prior to the onset of the monsoon.