Photo by B JayachandranThiruvananthapuram: The Valiathura pier, a landmark structure in the Kerala capital which juts out to the sea, has been partly destroyed by a pounding sea.
Photo by B JayachandranHigh waves in the past three days carved off a portion of the beach and a couple of pillars of the total 127 collapsed. The ramp leading to the pier went down, thereby cutting easy access to the structure.
A file pic of the iconic pierThe 214-metre pier, opened in 1965, was the main stay of the once-bustling port of Valiyathura, the only port of eminence in the whole of south Kerala. The pier had four 3-tonne and one 10-tonne cranes to handle cargo. The port paled after the Kochi port became the hub of maritime activity in the south-western coast. Valiyathura was declared a 'dead port' in the 1980s.
Photo by B JayachandranOld-timers said the terrain of Valiyathura was slightly higher than the adjoining coast and this would have made it the place of choice for harbour engineers to build the pier. Also, the waves do not rise beyond four meters even during swells, though changed wave patterns are noticed now.
Photo by B JayachandranOf late, fishermen have been launching their catamarans from the pier when high waves prevent easy entry to the sea otherwise.
In its hay days, up to 50 cargo ships used to anchor in the deep seas and small boats used to carry goods towards the pier.
