Rushikonda – the most frequented beach in the city for the locals as well as tourists – suffered heavy damage due to swell waves.
The sea surge took away huge deposits of sand. Experts say swell waves also called surface gravity waves originating from Andamans and other distant parts have caused the damage.
“Swell waves are generally witnessed whenever monsoon is vigorous. They come from long distances and when they hit the beach, their height will be much bigger than normal waves,” Principal Scientist in-charge of National Institute of Oceanography Dr. V.S.N. Murthy told The Hindu on Tuesday.
He said the waves carry lot of energy. The waves are concentrated at Rushikonda. “If there is any bending, they would have landed at RK Beach – located in the heart of the city,” he stated.
One of the two electric poles at Rushikonda beach resorts had fallen flat leaving another to dangle dangerously. The marine police outpost also bore the brunt of the damage with the glass windows of its first floor getting damaged forcing its men to work from the basement.
A large number of tourists from West Bengal and Odisha, who generally flock Rushikonda for fun, were shocked to see the ferocious-looking tidal waves. As there was no beachfront, they had to spend time from a distant place where some vendors were selling eateries.
Marine Police were on high alert to caution tourists not to venture into the sea due to the risks involved. Swell waves are also known as surfing waves. Experts say the sand erosion caused by the waves will subside after sometime.
