Kendrapara, Feb. 16: River erosion is playing havoc as the meandering water bodies are battering over a dozen thickly populated villages at Mahakalpada tehsil in Kendrapara.

The topographical feature of Mahakalpada tehsil is responsible for such river erosion. Rivers such as Mahanadi, Luna and Gobari flow through the area and meet the sea. Hence, influx of seawater has become a regular feature at the area, said Biraja Kumar Pati, a social activist.

Besides, the thick human habitation at the catchments areas of the rivers also paves the way for landslides and erosion.

Spurt in bridge construction, unabated sand quarrying activity, and illegal brick kilns operation along the major riverbanks have contributed to the topographical change and the erosion.

The Mahanadi has triggered landslides posing threat to Bahakuda, Gadaramita, Chanda and at least four more villages. Similarly, erosion has hit Gokhahkati, Gojabandha and Gopalpur villages on the Luna riverbank. The erosion triggered by the Gobari has badly hit Orta, Bankichanda, Baradanga, Badamatha and Bhitarsubal villages.

"Our village is steadily getting devoured by the Luna. Unless the river is tamed, these human settlements may be completely obliterated. Temporary measures such as sand-bag-filling and stone-packing at some places have served no concrete purpose," said Rabindra Barik, a Gokhalhati village resident.

The erosion has been more intense after the construction of bridges at Orataghat, Guptagiri and Bankichanda. At least two other bridges are now under construction.

Man-made barriers, built at places where the water flow is powerful, have further aggravated the situation.

Besides, the riverbeds are also getting shallower due to silt deposit, which further restricts the water flow.

Human habitations crowd the flood control embankments in these areas. Many bridges have also come up. As a result, rivers are bound to change the course, said saline embankment division executive engineer Jugal KIshore Tripathy.

"Vulnerable spots that are battered by the rivers have been identified. The water resources department has been told to formulate a plan to tackle erosion," said district collector Pramod Kumar Das.