With the monsoon intensifying during the last few days, the coastal areas of the city are gripped by the twin problems of sea erosion and fever outbreak. While several families along the coastline sought safe harbour at various schools and other places after their houses were damaged with strong waves lashing the area, their woes have compounded with the spread of diseases. The alleged lack of empathy shown by the authorities have made them an agitated lot. 8 houses damaged As many as eight houses have been partially damaged in Valiyathura during the last few weeks. Besides, sea water has entered several houses along the coast. Around 400 houses that dotted the coastal stretch from Beemappally to Kochuthope faced high risk in the prevailing situation. The problem has left the residents with no option, but to either head for their relatives’ houses or accommodate themselves in institutions such as the Valiyathura UP School, LP School and Government Fisheries Technical HSS. Worsening their plight, the functioning of the Valiyathura Government Hospital, which had been upgraded as a taluk hospital around one-and-a-half years ago, has been severely affected with the acute shortage of staff. The hospital has been witnessing a rough patient inflow of around 1,000 on a daily basis. Residents of several areas including Veli, Beemappally, Puthenpally, Vallakkadavu, Valiyathura, Cheriyathura, Valiyathope, Kochuthope and Shangumughom depend on the facility for their healthcare needs. According to former Valiyathura ward councillor Tony Oliver, the hospital had been equipped with many facilities including a fully-fledged laboratory, X-ray unit and an ECG scanning unit. However, the residents have seldom benefited from the facilities. While there had been 12 doctors at the time of its upgradation, there were only four doctors with none entrusted with attending to patients who seek medical attention at night. Besides, the laboratory is being manned by just two technicians, who have been appointed through the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), he says.