Now Reading: Swell waves hit Kerala coast, red alert till September 28
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Swell waves hit Kerala coast, red alert till September 28
High-period swell waves from the southern Indian Ocean reached the southern tip of India on Saturday, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said. Swell waves with a period of 20 to…
High-period swell waves from the southern Indian Ocean reached the southern tip of India on Saturday, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said. Swell waves with a period of 20 to 24 seconds and height of up to 1.5 metres hit parts of Kanyakumari, while precursor waves began reaching the Kerala coast. The impact is expected to become more pronounced during high tide, with a possibility of inundation in low-lying coastal areas.
A red alert has been issued along the Kerala coast, suspending all recreational and fishing activities until September 28. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a swell surge warning for Kerala, southern Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep from September 26 to 28. The event originated about 10,000 km from the Indian coast on September 20, and these long-period swells combined with high tide may cause coastal flooding. Fishermen and coastal residents have been advised to remain alert and avoid operating small vessels near shore.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Swell surges, locally called Kallakadal, are distinct from tsunami waves but can cause similar sudden flooding in low-lying coastal areas. Unlike wind-driven waves, swell waves travel thousands of kilometres with very long periods, making them harder to detect close to shore. The red alert from the KSDMA follows the standard protocol for extreme sea events under the National Disaster Management Plan. INCOIS, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, issues such warnings based on its global wave model. Residents in the affected zones should expect the most severe inundation during high tide windows between September 26 night and September 28 morning.
The next update from INCOIS on wave height and surge intensity will guide whether the red alert is extended beyond September 28.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
