Large tracts of the coastal belt in Kerala were buffeted by high waves for the third consecutive day on Monday, even as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) extended the rough sea warning for the State up to Tuesday midnight.
A press note issued by INCOIS said the sea was likely to be rough in the near shore areas with swell waves of 2 to 2.5 m height lashing the coast. The low-lying areas in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Ponnani, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod could experience some surges.
Forecast
According to the latest INCOIS forecast, the intensity of the high energy swell waves that lashed the Indian coast during the last two days has come down.
However, the rough sea warning will be in place till Tuesday night for the west coast, Lakshadweep, and south Tamil Nadu while the high swells will continue along the east coast and Andaman and Nicobar islands up to Wednesday.
Fishermen have been advised to be cautious. INCOIS has recommended suspension of water-based recreational activity and plying of boats near to the coast. Fishermen should anchor their boats at a fair distance from each other. The effect of the swell waves in the open ocean is likely to be minimal. The swell wave activity, unusual for this time of the year, is attributed to the energy imparted by sustained winds blocking the Westerlies off the tip of the African coast. With the havoc caused by cyclone Ockhi yet to fade from their memory, residents in the coastal areas are spending sleepless nights. About 52 families in Thiruvananthapuram were relocated to relief camps at Chirayinkeezh, Anchuthengu, and Valiathura after their houses were damaged by powerful waves lashing the coast. According to estimates, 20 houses were destroyed and 60 damaged at Anchuthengu. Four families were shifted to relief camps in Alappuzha and two families have been accommodated at a camp in Kollam.
