High waves along Kerala coast: Kozhikode Collector bans entry to beaches
Under orders issued by District Collector M. S. Madhavikutty, entry to all seafronts in the district is strictly prohibited from midnight on August 19 until midnight on August 20. The ban applies to tourists, local visitors, and seaside vendors alike.
Kerala's Kozhikode district has imposed a total ban on beach access in response to severe ocean alerts along the coastline. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) issued the directive following a threat of Kallakkadal, a phenomenon characterized by sudden, high-energy swell surges. The ban, issued by District Collector M. S. Madhavikutty, is in effect from midnight on August 19 until midnight on August 20 and applies to all beachgoers, including tourists, locals, and vendors.
The ban covers the entire coast, including popular areas like Beypore. Kallakkadal, meaning "thief ocean" in Malayalam, refers to flash flooding caused by powerful ocean swells generated by distant storms. These high-energy waves arrive without local warning signs, making coastal areas hazardous. Local fishermen have been instructed to stay off the sea and dock their vessels securely.
The Fisheries Department is conducting tannoy announcements and joint patrols to enforce the safety measures. Violators risk prosecution under the Disaster Management Act.
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