NEWS – INCOIS, ISRO to study rip currents for safer beaches

RIP CURRENTS

• Powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow from the shore to deeper water, often perpendicular to the shoreline
• Natural and common occurrence at beaches with breaking waves and are a significant concern for beachgoers, as they can pose dangers to swimmers
• Understanding rip currents and knowing how to respond to them is crucial for beach safety
• Formation: Rip currents are typically formed when waves break near the shoreline, and excess water returns seaward through a gap in the sandbar or along a pier or jetty.
• Characteristics:
  • They are narrow and concentrated, ranging from 10 to 100 feet in width.
  • Rip currents can flow at speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer