For nearly 5,000 families along the unprotected coastline of Chellanam panchayat in Ernakulam district of Kerala, protest has become a way of life, intensifying each year ahead of the monsoon.

The Chellanam–Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi is set to escalate its more than 2,408 day-long agitation with a dharna on Saturday (May 30, 2026). Their principal grievance remains the lack of progress in the second-phase construction of the tetrapod-based seawall, launched with much fanfare ahead of the Assembly election. Then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the second phase, spanning 6.10 kilometres from Puthenthode to Manassery, at an estimated cost of ₹404 crore to be funded under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), on March 7, 2026.

Though no timeline was announced for its completion, many affected families, encouraged by the project, returned after repairing houses damaged by sea incursions using resources raised with considerable difficulty. The first phase of the project, covering a 7.3-km stretch from Chellanam to Puthenthode, was completed at a cost of ₹347 crore.

The work has been assigned to the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), which also executed the first phase. However, the agreement could not be executed as the election was declared, bringing into force the model code of conduct. “We are still awaiting the technical sanction,” said ULCCS sources. The fate of KIIFB itself hangs in balance, with the United Democratic Front consistently opposing it.

“The first full moon of the seasonal lunar calendar is scheduled for May 31. The dharna has been organised on its eve. We had staged a protest by venturing into the sea around this time last year to draw attention to the plight of the people here,” said V.T. Sebastian, general convenor of the Vedhi.

High tide

As per the lunar calendar, the full moon and new moon phenomenon will alternate between May 31 and August 28, when the sea is likely to turn rough. High tide is expected during daytime on new moon and at night during full moon. If the climax of high tide coincides with gusty winds, the impact will be far worse.

“During these days, there are likely to be two bouts of high tide and low tide lasting more than six hours. Knowing their timing is crucial to reducing the extent of potential damage. Fortunately, since cyclone Ockhi in 2017 and cyclone Tauktae in 2021, there have not been major depressions or gusty winds accentuating tidal flooding. Hopefully, it will be the same this year as well,” Mr. Sebastian said.