Coastal processes along north Kakinada Coast, Andhra Pradesh based on short-term study

Abstract

Kakinada is situated in the central part of the Andhra Pradesh State on the east coast of India. To cater to recreational activities of the people in this coastal town, the Andhra Pradesh State Government has taken up an interactive to develop the beaches between fishing harbour and the Uppada village for the recreation and coastal development activities. Kakinada is one of the intermediate ports in Andhra Pradesh. The State Government is interested to develop the port in order to increase its export/import capability round the year. For the purpose, construction of deep-water port, establishment of fishing harbour and construction of breakwater are some of the events that have taken place in the recent years. Significant changes in the beaches on the east coast of India are expected. The fully developed berm parts of the beaches will start eroding and the breaking wave heights increases the intensity. An attempt has been made to study this area during 15th May to 15th June 2001 by taking up daily littoral environmental observations and weekly beach profiles. The beach profiles were carried out on the spring and neap tidal days. Instrumentally measured values are of great importance to estimate the volume of sediment transport. However, in the absence of those instruments, a well trained person obtaining the visual observations on surfzone parameters are also universally adopted for the estimation of longshore sediment transport