Kendrapara's villages are at risk of disappearing.

In the district of Kendrapara, there is a growing concern among the residents about the lack of a solid plan to protect their villages from natural disasters. The people of Mahakalapada block have expressed their frustration with the administration, claiming that while meetings are held every year to address the aftermath of these calamities, no concrete actions have been taken to prevent them from occurring in the first place. According to a local, the focus always seems to be on reacting to the destruction rather than taking proactive measures to avoid it.

One of the biggest threats facing the villages under Satabhaya, Lanjuda, Suniti, and Babar panchayats is the frequent intrusion of seawater into their homes. This has left the residents of these areas in a constant state of worry, as they fear that their villages will be completely swallowed up by the sea within the next few years if nothing is done to stop it. Even the slightest increase in wind speed can trigger massive tidal waves along the 48-kilometre-long coastline, leading to rapid soil erosion.

Experts in the field of environment and science have warned that if this erosion continues at its current pace, many villages will soon be submerged under the sea. They have also placed the blame on the district administration for not taking appropriate action to address this issue. Despite repeated calls for the development of mangrove plantations as a means of preventing soil erosion, no action has been taken, leaving the villages vulnerable to the forces of nature. The situation has become so dire that 90% of the land in Satabhaya panchayat has already been lost to the sea, and other panchayats are likely to suffer the same fate if swift action is not taken.

Several prominent figures, including Bhuban Mohan Jena, president of 'Zilla Jana Adhikar Manch', Ganesh Chandra Samal, a local intellectual, Gayadhar Dhal, a farmer leader, Khitish Kumar Singh, an educationist, and Hemant Kumar Rout, an environmentalist, have all spoken out about the district's susceptibility to natural disasters. They attribute this vulnerability to the district's long coastline and the presence of seven major rivers and numerous other water bodies. However, instead of being a blessing, these factors have become a curse for the district, as they are responsible for the devastating floods that occur every year. The lack of preventive measures has resulted in immense losses for the locals, who also have to live with the constant fear of a potential tsunami.

When reached for comment, ADM Pitambar Samal assured that steps are being taken to address the situation. He mentioned plans to strengthen river embankments downstream to control floods and the creation of mangrove plantations to prevent erosion. He expressed confidence that these efforts will yield positive results in the near future.

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