From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kallakkadal, Tsunami
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- Coastal areas of Kerala, including Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts, are grappling with flooding caused by high sea waves, known as swell waves or Kallakkadal in Malayalam.
- The recent swell surge occurred following a low-pressure system originating in the South Atlantic Ocean, leading to the formation of waves reaching heights of up to 11 meters.
What is Kallakkadal?
- Origin and Meaning:
- Kallakkadal refers to coastal flooding during the (April-May) pre-monsoon season.
- It is caused by ocean swell waves on the southwest coast of India.
- The term “Kallakkadal” originates from Malayalam, combining “Kallan” (thief) and “Kadal” (sea), denoting the sea’s unexpected intrusion akin to a thief.
- In 2012, the term was formally approved by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
- Causes:
- These waves stem from distant storms, such as hurricanes, generating significant energy transfer from the atmosphere to the water.
- Kallakkadal typically results from strong winds in the southern Indian Ocean, generating ocean swells that travel northward towards the Kerala coast.
Features of Kallakkadal
- This phenomenon occurs mostly during pre-monsoon season and sometimes during post monsoon.
- It continues for a few days.
- It inundates the low lying coasts.
- Initially sea recedes before the surge.
- During high tide the run-up, water level can reach as much as 3–4 m above Maximum Water Level (MWL).
How is it distinct from Tsunami?
- Nature of Phenomenon: Kallakkadal, though often confused with tsunamis, arises from distant storm-generated waves, contrasting with tsunamis triggered by underwater disturbances, typically seismic activities.
- Clarification: Understanding this distinction is crucial for implementing effective early warning systems and mitigating the impact of coastal hazards.
PYQ:2017: At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at- (a) Bhavnagar (b) Bheemunipatnam (c) Chandipur (d) Nagapattinam
Practice MCQ:The Coastal areas of Kerala recently witnessed the Oceanic Swell Waves locally known as Kallakkadal. In this regard consider the following statements: 1. Kallakkadal typically occurs during the spring season (March-April). 2. These waves stem from distant storms in the southern Indian Ocean. Which of the given statements is/are NOT correct? (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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