Odisha's coastal erosion: The measures to save lives, livelihoods, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• Approximately 28.3% of Odisha's 564-km coastline is experiencing erosion, as per a study by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR).
• The NCCR assessment, conducted from 1990 to 2022, also found 17.6% of the coastline stable and 54.1% undergoing accretion.
• Six coastal districts in Odisha are affected, with Jagatsinghpur being the most erosion-prone at 47.6% of its coastline.
• Rising sea levels and coastal erosion have submerged 16 villages in Kendrapada district, leading to displacement.
• Odisha has developed India’s first climate resettlement colony to accommodate those displaced by coastal erosion.

Odisha Coast.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• Shoreline changes are driven by natural forces like waves, tides, and storms, alongside human activities such as port construction and sand mining.
• Global sea-level rise significantly contributes to coastal erosion, exacerbating the issue in vulnerable regions.
• Coastal structures like seawalls and breakwaters can alter shoreline morphology, sometimes intensifying erosion in adjacent areas.
• Odisha is particularly susceptible to cyclones, which cause drastic changes to its coastline.
• Ganjam district has seen villages like Podampeta deserted due to the advancing sea, impacting hundreds of households.
• Protective measures include the development of a geotextile tube embankment at Pentha village in Kendrapada.
• Sea wall-cum-serving roads are being constructed in Balasore and Ganjam districts to offer dual protection and access.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR): An attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences that monitors long-term shoreline changes and conducts research on coastal processes.
• Geotextile tube embankment: A coastal protection structure made from high-strength, porous synthetic fabrics filled with sand slurry, designed to absorb wave impact and minimize erosion.
• Sea wall-cum-serving roads: Dual-purpose coastal structures where an outer barrier protects against tidal waves and erosion, while an inner layer functions as a roadway.