Around 50 families were left homeless after high tidal waves on Friday breached nearly 600 metres of an earthen embankment at Gobardhanpur in the Sunderbans.

Triggered by a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, tidal waves as high as seven feet breached the embankment and submerged large areas of farmland and homes at Gobardhanpur in the Patharpratima block of South 24-Parganas.

Villagers said the area had long suffered from erosion engendered by relentless tides, especially during low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. They claimed repeated appeals to the local administration and Trinamool Congress MLA Samir Jana for a concrete embankment had been ignored, leaving them exposed to frequent disaster.

The latest breach, which started on Thursday evening, intensified overnight as gusty winds battered the 1km-long dyke, washing away a 600m stretch by Friday morning.

“Such a situation was quite expected. We have been urging the administration and the MLA to take up permanent protective measures, including the rehabilitation of at least 30 of the most vulnerable families to safer places. The MLA promised to fulfil our demand and assured us that two ring dams would be built. But the monsoon has arrived, and nothing has been done. Now, 50 families have lost their homes and are living under the open sky,” said Ranjit Sahu, a resident.

The India Meteorological Department said a depression that had developed over the Bay in the past 24 hours had led to strong winds and rough seas along the South 24-Parganas coast.

Another resident of Gobardhanpur, Milan Mandal, echoed the allegation that families living in the most exposed areas had been promised rehabilitation, but nothing had materialised so far.

“There is land available in the village, but the panchayat has done nothing. The administration only started protective work at the onset of the monsoon, although these jobs are generally sanctioned by the end of December,” he said.

“For the permanent dam, we have even given land, but work hasn’t started. We are also facing a severe drinking water crisis.”

Patharpratima MLA Samir Jana said: “A concrete dam had existed earlier, but it was washed away over time. A new 1km-long concrete embankment and two ring dams have been sanctioned. Some villagers initially refused to hand over land, demanding immediate compensation. Now, 59 of them have registered as land donors. A few are still creating confusion and misleading others, but we hope the work will
begin soon.

The sudden depression unsettled our plan a bit. However, irrigation department engineers have already visited the site, and the situation should improve by next monsoon.”

Kakdwip subdivisional officer Madhusudan Mandal did not give much importance to the grievances of the villagers.

“People know that this is a recurring problem, and we have limited control over nature. Still, a permanent dam has been planned and work will begin soon,” he said.