Swell waves reach Kerala coast; inundation likely in low-lying areas by August 20
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a warning regarding high-period swell waves affecting the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. Authorities have suspended beach activities and cautioned fishermen due to the risk of inundation in low-lying areas.
Why it matters
Timely warnings are critical for public safety and disaster mitigation in vulnerable coastal regions during extreme weather events.
The high-period swell waves from the southern Indian Ocean have now reached southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala coasts and started interacting with the coastal regions, confirmed the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the agency that provides forecasts on the state of the ocean for the seas surrounding India during extreme weather conditions like high waves and swell conditions, and cyclones.
This has been confirmed by INCOIS off Kozhikode, Kanyakumari, and Thoothukudi. As the swell system continues to interact with the coast and is expected to persist till the end of August 20, wave surges and inundation in low-lying areas of the coastal regions in Kerala, south Tamil Nadu districts, and Lakshadweep islands may occur from the evening hours of Thursday (August 20, 2026).
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