NEWS – INCOIS, based in Hyderabad, has warned coastal states like Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands about potential high-energy swell waves

SWELL WAVES

• Swell waves form due to distant storms such as hurricanes or persistent gale winds, transferring large amounts of energy from air to water.
• Unlike local wind-generated waves, swells travel long distances from their source before reaching coastal areas.

Characteristics of Swell Waves:

• Swells have a more defined shape and direction compared to wind waves due to dispersion and dissipation during their long journey.
• They exhibit a narrower range of frequencies and directions, propagating independently of the wind’s direction.

Wavelength and Size:

• Swell wavelengths typically range up to 150 meters, although exceptionally severe storms can produce longer swells exceeding 700 meters.
• These waves can strike shorelines without preceding local wind activity, making them distinct from wind-generated waves.

KERALA ON RED ALERT

• Kerala has been put on red alert for high-energy swell waves, known locally as ‘Kallakadal’ (rogue sea), until Sunday night.
• The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has directed the suspension of recreational activities on beaches and advised coastal residents to consider temporary evacuation if necessary, marking the first red alert instance for the state related to the Kallakadal phenomenon.Top of Form