WHAT IS KALLAKATHAL, WHICH HAS FLOODED HOUSES IN KERALA’S
Why in the news?
Coastal flooding, termed Kallakkadal, hits Kerala due to swell waves; authorities open relief camps; distinguished from tsunamis.
source:springer
About the Causes and Occurrence:
- Ocean swells, not local winds, create Kallakkadal, travelling thousands of kilometers from storm centers.
- Strong winds in the southern Indian Ocean generate swell waves, which reach Kerala’s coast within a few days.
- Recent occurrence attributed to a low atmospheric pressure system moving from the Atlantic Ocean, creating waves up to 3 meters high.
What is Kallakkadal ?
● Kallakkadal refers to coastal flooding caused by swell waves during the pre-monsoon season in Kerala. ● These waves are generated by distant storms like hurricanes, transferring energy from air to water, forming high waves. ● The term originates from Malayalam, combining “Kallan” (thief) and “Kadal” (sea), depicting the ocean’s sudden arrival. |