'Thief Waves' Hit Coastal Areas Of Tamil Nadu And Kerala; All You Need To Know

A central agency recently issued alerts to travellers visiting coastal areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu against the "kallakkadal phenomenon" (meaning a "sea that comes suddenly like a thief") observed 15 January onwards. The phenomenon refers to the sudden swell of the seas that cause rough waves. The affected areas are likely to be washed over by waves of up to 0.5 to 1.0 metres, suggesting a possible threat of sea surge, according to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

Taking this update by INCOIS into consideration, the Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has advised people living on the coast to relocate away from disaster-prone areas. The authorities have also advised locals to not venture into the sea in country boats and tiny vessels, in addition to putting a pause on any tourism activities on beaches until further notice.

According to KSDMA's statement, everybody present in the affected areas should exercise extra vigilance in case of coastal erosion due to the swell surge. This phenomenon is caused by the strong winds in the southern part of Indian Ocean that occur suddenly without any indication.