Kerala’s Chellanam residents step up protest as yet another monsoon threatens sea incursion

Protests have become a way of life for about 5,000 families along the unprotected coastline of Chellanam panchayat in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, intensifying every year ahead of the monsoon.

Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi is all set to escalate its over 2,308-day agitation with a dharna on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Their main complaint remains the lack of progress in the second phase construction of the tetrapod-based seawall, which was launched with much fanfare ahead of the Assembly elections. Later, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the second phase covering 6.10 kilometers from Puthenthode to Manassery on March 7, 2026, at an estimated cost of ₹404 crore to be financed under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

Although no timeline has been announced for its completion, many affected families, encouraged by the project, have returned after repairing their homes damaged by sea attacks using hard-earned resources. The first phase of the project, covering an area of ​​7.3 km from Chellanam to Puthenthode, was completed at a cost of ₹ 347 crore.

The work was awarded to Uralungal Labor Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), which also carried out the first phase. However, with the announcement of the election, the agreement could not be implemented and the code of conduct model came into force. “We are still waiting for the technical sanction,” ULCCS sources said. The fate of KIIFB hangs in the balance with the United Democratic Front constantly opposing it.

“The first full moon of the seasonal lunar calendar is scheduled for May 31. It was held on the eve of dharna. This time last year, we staged a protest by swimming into the sea to draw attention to the plight of people here,” said VT Sebastian, general convenor of Vedhi.

high tide

According to the lunar calendar, the full moon and new moon phenomenon will occur alternately between May 31 and August 28, when the sea is likely to become wavy. High tide is expected during the day on the new moon and at night on the full moon. If the peak tide coincides with high winds, the impact will be much worse.

“During these days, there are likely to be two tide and tide events lasting more than six hours. Knowing the timing is crucial to reduce the extent of potential damage. Fortunately, since cyclone Ockhi in 2017 and cyclone Tauktae in 2021, there have been no major depressions or strong winds that aggravate tidal flooding. I hope it will be the same this year,” Mr Sebastian said.