Numerical model for wind-driven circulation in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Wind-driven circulation in the Bay of Bengal, generated by a southwest wind of constant speed (10 m.sec -1) and direction (225 degrees TN), is presented. A non-linear hydrodynamic model is used for the simulation of circulation. Numerical experiments have shown that when a uniform wind stress in suddenly imposed over the sea surface, a steady circulation is generated after 50 h of numerical integration of model equations. The sensitivity of this model to bathymetry and coastal configuration is also discussed. The study shows that maximum current speed is observed near the coastal region as anticipated and it generally tends to follow the idealised bottom contours