All You Need To Know About The 'Kallakkadal' Phenomenon Along The Kerala, Tamil Nadu Coastlines

Coastal areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been on high alert due to the 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in the Indian Ocean. Kallakkadal which roughly translates to false waves is characterised by the sudden withdrawal and then a surge of waves in the ocean, without any visible changes in local wind and other factors. Since the waves come suddenly like a thief, it is locally called Kallakkadal.

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INCOIS issues warning

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) had issued alerts to fishermen and coastal residents about a possible "kallakkadal phenomenon" until 11.30 pm on Monday.

"As the rough seas are likely to intensify, stay away from the danger zone areas as per the instructions of the authorities," NCOIS, the agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, said while advising people to safely moor fishing vessels in the harbour.

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Avoid visiting beaches

"Keeping a safe distance between boats can avoid the risk of collision. The safety of fishing equipment should be ensured," it said in a statement here.

INCOIS also advised people to avoid trips to the beach and activities at sea completely.

What happens during Kallakkadal

Kallakkadal phenomenon is not new along the southern coast of India, and it happens usually during the pre-monsoon weeks. It can last up to a few days and the water level can reach as much as 3¨C4 m above Maximum Water Level.

But in recent years the intensity and frequency of such sea swells have increased, resulting in frequent inundation of low-lying areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Kallakkadal and climate change

Earlier this month too there was a Kallakkadal event where the seawater had withdrawn for several meters before surging back, bringing back memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

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It is believed that the frequency of Kallakkadal events is increasing due to climate change. A recent study found a link between North Indian Ocean high swell events and the meteorological conditions in the Southern Ocean using a combination of ocean wave observations and numerical model simulations. The study confirms that Kallakkadal events are caused by swells propagating from the Southern Indian Ocean from the region between Africa and Australia.

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