Wave characteristics off Visakhapatnam coast during a cyclone

Abstract

Waves were measured using a directional waverider buoy off Visakhapatnam, east coast of India during the passage of a cyclone in November 1998. The maximum wave height observed during the passage was 5.74 m, whereas this height 24 h before and after the passage were 1.54 and 1.24 m. Wave spectra during the cyclone were single-peaked with peak period varying from 8 to 10 s and direction from 125 degrees to 170 degrees with respect to north. Before and after the cyclone, the spectra were multi-peaked with the predominant peak period varying from 12 to 18 s.