
Waves lash the stones placed near the coconut groves along the RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, causing significant erosion this monsoon season.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
Visakhapatnam, which boasts its picturesque beaches, is facing a perceptible threat to the coastline in the form of frequent erosions.
The Beach Road, a major tourist attraction in the city, has witnessed many cave-ins in different locations, indicating that all is not well along the coast.
Now, the residents as well as the district administration are worried about the Beach Road, as it is dotted with numerous high-rise buildings constructed barely 100 m from the coast.
Experts from National Institute of Oceanography and the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University, suggest that global warming and the rise in the sea level due to climate change are the main reasons for coastal erosion.
There has been a sea surge over the last few decades and the climate has become more erratic over the last 10 years.
“We are seeing more cyclones hitting the coast, rather than the normal seasonal rains associated with the monsoon,” says Prof. S.S.V.S Ramakrishna, former HoD of the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University.
Mitigation initiative
To mitigate the threat, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), in association with National Disaster Management Authority, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), has formed a technical advisory committee to work out plans to check coastal erosion.
“We have taken the help of about 25 experts from various departments to design a mitigation plan, after extensive surveys, research and deliberations. The final plan has been approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The project will cost about ₹203 crore,” said VMRDA Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan.
The Centre will bear 90% of the cost while the State government will fund 10%, he said.
According to Mr. Viswanathan, the plan will address the issues of coastal erosion for the three districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.
“We have selected 30 habitation sites that are prone to coastal erosion. The idea is to develop long-term solutions to mitigate loss of life, habitat, infrastructure and ecosystem. It is a comprehensive protection plan that addresses both conservation and restoration, using nature-based solutions,” he said.
Of the 30 identified sites, bio-shields will be used at 26, while two will be nature-based solutions and two will have hybrid structures, he said.
“The mitigation plan includes the construction of retaining walls at Gokul Park and Kursura Submarine Museum, dune enhancement at Peda Jalaripeta. Groynes will be constructed at Mangamaripeta and Bheemunipatnam. We will implement nature-based solutions at other places,” said Mr. Viswanathan.
The works are expected to start soon and will take around two years for completion, he added.
Published – July 05, 2025 09:36 am IST