Cyclone Ockhi has left a trail of destruction not only on land but in the near-shore areas of the seabed and long stretches of the shoreline along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram.
The intense wave activity triggered by the storm has ravaged large areas of the underwater ecosystem. Pictures recorded by Bond Ocean Safari, a Kovalam-based underwater adventure sports group show extensive damage to the mussel beds that harbour the rich marine biodiversity of the region.
The damage is so severe that it could take months for the ecosystem to rebuild itself, says Jackson Peter, managing partner, Bond Ocean Safari.
Scuba divers belonging to the underwater adventure have recorded video images and still pictures that reveal the extent of the damage to the marine ecosystem at Kovalam.
“Mussel beds play a critical role in supporting the rich underwater biodiversity near rocky shores,” says A. Biju Kumar, Head, Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala.
Lasting impact
“Any damage to these fragile systems could leave a lasting impact on the marine life in the region. It could also delay the post-monsoon harvesting of mussels by fishermen, affecting their livelihood.”
Fishers and citizen scientists also feel that the cyclone could have aggravated the damage caused to the underwater ecology by the dredging activities for the Vizhinjam international seaport project.
Beaches damaged
Friends of Marine Life, a local NGO, has also come up with pictures revealing the shoreline changes that have occurred at Valiathura, Shanghumughom and Veli in Thiruvananthapuram due to the storm. The waves have eaten up large sections of the beach at many places, says Robert Panipilla, coordinator, FML.
“It is significant that the heightened wave activity triggered by the cyclone occurred during the November-December period typically associated with sediment accretion and beach building,” says T.N. Prakash, Head, Coastal Processes division, National Centre for Earth Science Studies.
Dr. Prakash adds that it would only be a matter of time before long period waves resume the sediment deposit process to rebuild the beach before the next monsoon.
