What is the 'silky clay' phenomenon affecting Vellapallam?

It's a unique geological issue where fine, loose clay accumulates on the shore, making it soft and difficult to traverse or build upon.

How does the silky clay impact fishermen in Vellapallam?

Fishermen struggle to launch and retrieve boats, often requiring expensive tractor services, impacting their income and leading to debt.

Why did the breakwater project in Vellapallam fail?

The immense weight of the breakwater stones caused them to sink into the unstable, silky clay seabed.

Home / Environment / Sinking Shores: Fishermen Battle Treacherous 'Silky Clay'

Sinking Shores: Fishermen Battle Treacherous 'Silky Clay'

29 Dec

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Summary

Fishermen struggle with sinking shores of silky clay.
A ₹132-crore project lost most breakwater stones to sinking.
Policy shift from capture fishing to aquaculture impacts maintenance.

Sinking Shores: Fishermen Battle Treacherous 'Silky Clay'

Coastal communities in Vellapallam, Pushpavanam, and Vanavan Mahadevi are grappling with a unique geological crisis. Treacherous 'silky clay' is engulfing their shorelines, transforming the sea into a daily obstacle for the 1,270 families who depend on it. The sandy beaches characteristic of the Coromandel coast are absent here, replaced by a quagmire that drains fishermen's energy and earnings. Daily boat launches now require costly tractor assistance, pushing many into debt when catches are low.

This geological oddity, attributed to sediment discharge from the Vennar Basin, creates a shallow gradient where fine clay accumulates and lacks structural integrity. Experts note this phenomenon is unique to this deltaic coast stretch. Efforts to mitigate the issue have proven costly and largely unsuccessful; a ₹132-crore breakwater project at Vellapallam has lost approximately 70% of its massive stones, sinking into the seabed. A revised estimate for an additional ₹100 crore is under consideration.