SEVERE COASTAL EROSION THREATENS BALAPITIYA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Several coastal areas including Balapitiya, Brahmanawatta, Wellawatta, Wellabada, and Wathuregama are currently experiencing severe sea erosion, according to our correspondent.

The ongoing strong winds and monsoon season are reportedly intensifying this erosion. In Brahmanawatta, large sections of land have been washed away, resulting in several coconut trees being uprooted.

Landowners in these areas express concern that if the current conditions persist, their properties face a risk of losing 15 to 20 feet to the sea, with some already experiencing 7 to 8 feet of erosion.

They also note that the beach in these areas has now completely disappeared.

Our correspondent added that the eroded land is so unstable that it's unsafe to even approach the edge.

Landowners are urgently appealing to the government to construct a rock barrier before their properties are further eroded.

They warn that if no action is taken, the "sea monster" could claim approximately five to six perches of their land by the end of the current monsoon season.