Impact of shamal winds and swells on the coastal currents along the west coast of India

Abstract

Wind, wave and current data collected at/off Ratnagiri, west coast of India were analysed to study the wind-wave-current interaction along the west coast of India (WCI) during shamal events Shamal winds which originate in the Persian Gulf region during winter (November-March) generate swells in the northwestern Arabian Sea, and these swells propagate towards the west coa st of India with distinct wave direction (north west) and increase in wave heights It is observed that during these events, the de-tided current data present a distinct change in the current direction and increase in current speeds (approximately from 0.08 m/s to 0.15 m/s) It can be inferred from the analysis that the waves which propagate from NW and the currents which flow towards north opp ose each other, resulting in intensification of currents off Ratnagiri In order to understand the intensity of shamal effect on th e existing current system, we have also analysed winds and currents before, during and after the events.