The scenic Polem Beach, located at Goa’s southernmost tip, is under grave threat as severe sea erosion continues to devastate the shoreline, leaving residents in a state of panic and fear.
For the past three days, powerful tidal waves have battered the coast, washing away large portions of the beach, uprooting trees, and toppling electricity poles. Newly planted coconut saplings have been destroyed, and seawater has begun entering homes and shacks, triggering widespread concern among the coastal community.
“We can’t sleep at night. The waves are coming dangerously close to our homes,” said a distressed resident. Locals say they have made repeated appeals to the Loliem Village Panchayat for a retaining wall, but no action has been taken despite funds reportedly being sanctioned over a year ago.
Years ago, the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had assured villagers that a coastal protection wall would be constructed—a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Even as the situation worsens, neither the local MLA nor the panchayat leadership has visited the site to assess the damage. According to sources, while the local panch is pushing for urgent action, the sarpanch has allegedly remained unresponsive.
With each passing high tide, the risk to life, property, and livelihood increases, and villagers are now demanding immediate intervention from the district administration and disaster management authorities.