Scores of visitors to R. K. Beach were in for a shock on Monday as they watched furious sea waves advancing towards the coast, menacingly licking the walls of the footpath along the beach road from Kursura Museum to R.K. Beach. This severely eroded beach stretch had been a constant reminder to the gruesome impact of cyclone Hudhud. The erosion activity, which normally occurs during this time of the year, is, however pronounced, threatening to cause a permanent damage to the beach.
During the cyclone, vast quantities of sand had been deposited on the land from the beach leading to a severe loss of beach. But experts point out that seasonal erosion may have dealt a double blow to the beach stretch.
Scientist in-charge of the National Institute of Oceonography (NIO) V.S.N. Murty said coastal erosion was a common phenomenon but this time the erosion may have been more marked. “During the northeast monsoon, sea erosion occurs. But this year it may be different because already, during the cyclone, huge stretch of sand was lost . Due to this, the process of sedimentation has suffered a setback leading to severe erosion,” Mr. Murty told The Hindu .
He, however, cautioned that keeping short-term measures like boulders might lead to a permanent loss of beach in the area. “Sand replenishment is the best solution to arrest erosion. But, it cannot be carried out before February or March due to unfavourable sea currents,” he added.
It may be recalled that earlier this year in the same area, a portion of the footpath had caved in. Vizag coast has always been vulnerable to sea erosion.
Experts point out that the non-uniformity of the structure of the coast (partly sandy and partly rocky) makes it susceptible to beach erosion at different spots. Factors that trigger beach erosion are cyclones, wave convergence (waves coming from two different directions and hitting the same spot), monsoon and spot of distribution of dredged material.
Post-Hudhud, NIO had been involved in a detailed study and is examining satellite and water samples off Visakhapatnam and Atchutapuram coasts. Experts from the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station were engaged to install geo-tubes to arrest erosion near the submarine museum. This year, due to the extreme severity of the cyclone, it is likely to have had an impact on the wave directions and sand suspension, experts say.
