Thiruvananthapuram: Coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram district have been facing the wrath of the Kallakkadal phenomenon—where the seas swell suddenly, creating dangerous waves—since Tuesday night. The rising tides have surged into several homes in Pozhiyoor and Poonthura.

In Pozhiyoor, the rough sea has been battering the shore since late Tuesday night, with water flooding many homes. Families, including those with small children, were forced to leave their houses and move to relatives’ homes in safer areas.

Locals recalled how the water rushed in with a terrifying sound. By Wednesday morning, fishermen hurriedly shifted their boats to safer locations. The nearby sheds were washed away by the strong waves. From Mullassery to Paruthiyoor and Kollemcode, houses close to the shoreline were submerged by the advancing tide.

The coastal areas of Pozhiyoor and Kollemcode are among the worst affected. Fishermen believe that the Kerala coast began experiencing such severe flooding after the Tamil Nadu government constructed a pulimuttu (sea wave breaker) along the border years ago.

Poonthura is facing a similar crisis, with reports suggesting that the Kallakkadal phenomenon is set to intensify by Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have warned of increasingly dangerous waves striking the coast, forcing residents to prepare for potential evacuation.

The rough seas in Poonthura worsened at around 3:30 am on Wednesday. The seawater rushed into the houses like a flood. People are willing to relocate, but the local administration has not made arrangements for it, sparking protests. The last time such problems occurred, residents were moved to nearby schools. A red alert was announced on Tuesday afternoon in connection with the Kallakkadal phenomenon.

Locals are questioning why, despite a red alert being issued for Kallakkadal on Tuesday afternoon, no concrete steps have been taken to ensure their safety.