Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief measure for coastal communities, the Kerala government has officially declared sea incursions occurring during high tide and low tide as a state-specific disaster. The move widens the scope of disaster recognition beyond extreme events such as cyclones and severe sea conditions.
As per the government order, incidents where sea waves cross the high-tide line and enter inland areas—triggering flooding and causing damage to lives, property, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure—will now be treated as a special disaster under state norms.
Until now, only sea attacks during cyclones, rough sea conditions, and similar extreme weather events were classified as special disasters. Other instances of coastal erosion were considered general natural calamities, making victims eligible only for limited compensation. Even compensation of up to ₹4 lakh for houses lost to sea erosion had to be approved through special Cabinet decisions.
With the revised classification, losses caused by tidal sea incursions and related flooding will now be eligible for structured financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), strictly in line with prescribed guidelines.
The decision is expected to ensure faster relief, improved compensation mechanisms, and greater security for vulnerable coastal populations who face recurring threats from tidal sea erosion, particularly during seasonal tidal fluctuations.
