Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Kalla kadal

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

Kalla kadal is Malayalam word having literal meaning of 'sea thief'. The word kalla kadal, which is used by local fishermen was adopted by UNESCO. Geographically, it refers to phenomenon when the sea water creeps in during good weather like a thief arriving unannounced.

Contents

Reason for withdrawal of sea

Sea creeps into coast because of swells generated by storms elsewhere. Travelling thousands of kilometres across entire ocean basins, the swell becomes amplified when it encounters a coastal current, resulting in increased wave setup, a phenomenon referred to as remote forcing. For example, kalla kadal occurs in pre monsoon season in South India, where swells are generated near Antarctica.

Characteristics of kalla kadal

Characteristics of “Kallakkadal” as follows:

  • This phenomenon occurs mostly during pre-monsoon season and sometimes during post monsoon.
  • It continues for a few days.
  • It inundates the low lying coasts.
  • During high tide the run-up, water level can reach as much as 3–4 m above Maximum Water Level (MWL).
  • References

    Kalla kadal Wikipedia