Tidal ingression at Noli Sahi village near the proposed Posco steel plant area. Telegraph picture

Paradip/ Bhubanewar, May 27: Tidal waves have made their way into many areas of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Balasore districts.

While they inundated some villages in the proposed Posco steel project area, they have also caused damage in Astarang area of Puri district leaving people in a state of panic. The water is yet to retreat to the sea.

Special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra has asked the Puri district administration to send a detailed report on the ingress of tidal waves. While a new mouth was created at Natara in Astarang area, the existing mouth at Keluni has closed.

About 40,000 people of seven villages in Astaranga area have been trying to block the entry of water by dumping sand bags. Water also entered many areas coming under a proposed port being sponsored by a private company. The land acquisition process for the proposed project has already started.

Ingression of tidal waves have also caused panic in several villages in the Posco project area. Villages such as Nolia Sahi, Polang, Bayanalakanda and Bhuiyanpal have come under the impact of the tidal surge.

“With the depleting tree cover, the areas are now lying thoroughly exposed to steady advancement of sea waters,” said Nirvaya Samantaray, general secretary of United Action Committee, a pro-Posco organisation.

“Construction of surge protection barriers to stop the tidal waves near Noli Sahi has become imperative keeping in view the inroad of seawater into the deforested areas. Steps are being taken to build the seawall with funding from the steel company,” said Erasama tehsildar Sarat Kumar Purohit.

In another development, the land acquisition process progressed further today after a two-day break. Four betel vineyards were acquired and the landowners were paid compensation on spot today. As many as 765 standing trees were also cut down, said an official.

An estimated 1.60 lakh trees have so far been felled in the project villages. As a result, tidal waves from Jatadhara river mouth often march into areas where once the forest acted as a protective natural barrier.

“Tidal water easily enters the denuded pockets on the new moon and full moon days every month. Though human habitation at Noli Sahi does not face immediate threat, people are apprehensive that the tidal waves would make inroads deeper into the village in near future,” said Nakul Sahu, former sarpanch.

Divisional forest officer of Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division Manoj Kumar Mahapatra said: “There is nothing illegal in felling trees in the project area. To make up for the loss of green cover, forestation is being taken up along a 3,000-acre stretch in the peripheral corridors of the proposed steel venture. It is also obligatory for the steel company to cover an equal area under regeneration of degraded forest programme along the Mahanadi deltaic region.”