High waves to hit coast, keep off beaches: Government

“As per the latest multi-model based operational wave forecasting system at INCOIS, Hyderabad, there is a strong indication that high energy swell waves, with heights between two to three metres and periods between 17-22 seconds are likely to be experienced in the seas around India. The higher waves will be first experienced along the west coast of India and Lakshadweep by Saturday morning and subsequently the Bay of Bengal by Sunday,” stated an official release by INCOIS. 

Speaking to DTNext, Balakrishnan Nair TM, scientist at INCOIS, said, “This high energy wave surge is not a regular phenomenon. This is due to the high sustained winds blocking Westerlies, for more than three days, at the tip of African coast. Due to this, high energy waves are generated and on 8.30 am on Friday, it had already hit the Seychelles coast, which our buoy registered. Based on our model, it will hit Kanniyakumari by Saturday morning.”  

He added, “Deep-sea fishermen will face no issues but the high energy of waves hitting the shore is likely to cause flooding in certain low-lying areas. The fishing boats might be damaged. We have warned the coastal communities to take adequate precaution. The public too should refrain from swimming in the sea during the weekend.”  Meanwhile, Commissioner of Revenue Administration, K Satyagopal, said INCOIS has issued a rough sea warning for south Tamil Nadu coast especially to Kanniyakumari and Ramanathapuram districts.