Higher waves are observed along the coastline due to the extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’, and it is evident from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) WAMAN (Wave Monitoring Along Near-shore) buoy network, with real-time communication of the data deployed at Visakhapatnam (wave height of 3m) and Gopalpur (wave height of 3.3m).
The cyclone has crossed the deep sea buoy BD14 in Bay of Bengal where wave heights went up to 3.9 m and as of now reduced (less than 2.5m). The deep sea buoy BD11, showed a maximum wave height of 6.8 m (forecast was 7.7m) while another deep sea buoy BD08 showing an upward trend reached 4.6 m and the waves are expected to go upto nearly 6m, in the coming two days. “Such waves can cause large scale damage along the coast, greatly compounded by the sustained high winds and.storm surges. Such winds can also generate swell waves amplifying the damages nearshore”, reiterated T.M. Balakrishnan Nair, scientist and head of Ocean Science & Information Services Group (ISG), INCOIS.
The institute is keeping a close round the clock watch on movement of ‘Fani’ to predict associated waves and other oceanic parameters offshore and nearshore at its Ocean State Forecast Operations and Service Centre, and warning the public.
“Our latest model runs show higher waves are likely to be experienced along the north Andhra Pradesh coast, Odisha and West Bengal coast with maximum waves being along Odisha coast. At Visakhapatnam, maximum wave height of around 7.5m (current speeds of 100 cm/sec) is likely during evening hours on May 2; at Gopalpur, maximum wave height of around 9.4 m (current speeds of 90 cm/sec), morning hours of May 3 and at Digha the maximum wave height of around 4.5 m (current speeds 80 cm/sec), late hours of May 3,” explained Dr.Nair.
This is for locations where Wave Rider Buoys have been deployed. The observations and forecast model outputs are in good agreement in the open ocean and near-shore, hence maximum caution should be exercised by Odisha, AP and WB coastal population, he said.
Joint Bulletins are being issued with IMD providing latest updates on the system along with animations available in the home page of the INCOIS website.
