kallakadal' warning issued for Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts

kallakadal' warning issued for Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts

Coastal residents in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been cautioned against venturing into the sea in small boats and are urged to securely anchor their fishing vessels in the harbor, as per an official announcement.

The term 'Kallakkadal' derives from two Malayalam words—'Kallan' meaning thief and 'Kadal' meaning sea—together signifying that the sea can arrive unexpectedly like a thief.

Thiruvananthapuram: An alert from a central agency indicates that the coastal regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu may face the "kallakkadal phenomenon," characterized by sudden sea swells and rough waves, on the night of January 15. The forecast suggests wave heights could reach between 0.5 to 1.0 meters until 11:30 PM, posing a potential risk of sea surges, according to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). In response to this warning, the Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has advised residents in coastal areas to relocate to safer zones as directed by local authorities. 

Additionally, the public is discouraged from engaging in any tourism activities along the beaches until the warning is lifted. The KSDMA has emphasized the need for heightened awareness regarding the risks of coastal erosion due to the anticipated swell. The term 'kallakkadal' aptly describes the phenomenon of the sea rising suddenly and unexpectedly. INCOIS has noted that these swells are caused by strong winds in the southern Indian Ocean and can occur without prior warning, hence the name 'kallakkadal.'