The village of Solosolo is moving inland due to the effects of sea level rise hich has been hastened by sand mining operations.
According to Talamua on line the village has realized that a seawall built years ago to stop beach erosion seems to be sinking, and has opted to relocate their families to higher ground. But a few still want to reside on the coastal area.
A Solosolo resident To’omata Nora Leota, says the village is vulnerable due to the sea rise and also when a river in the village bursts during heavy rains, At one time the river swept away the Solosolo bridge when its banks burst.
Toomata says they saw the danger during the 2009 tsunami and ran to the hills. Since then several families decided to relocate to higher grounds.
She said 60% of the village is now relocated on higher ground.
The village asked for a grant to build a seawall to fend off the rising sea, however, that too has failed as evidenced by the way it’s sinking slowly, and according to To’omata, sand mining has played a major impact.
The village has approached the government Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) responsible for issuing licenses to stop sand mining.
Toomata says sandmining is destroying their village and jeopardizing their safety,
