Coastal sea level response to the tropical cyclonic forcing in the north Indian Ocean

Abstract

Abstract. The study examines the observed storm-generated sea-level variation due to deep depression (Event-E1) in the Arabian Sea from 26 November–1 December 2011 and a cyclonic storm "THANE" (Event-E2) over the Bay of Bengal during 25–31 December 2011. The sea-level and surface meteorological measurements collected during these extreme events exhibit strong synoptic disturbances leading to storm surge up to 43 cm on the west coast and 29 cm on the east coast of India due to E1 and E2. E1 generated sea level oscillations at the measuring stations on the west coast (Ratnagiri, Verem and Karwar) and east coast (Mandapam and Tuticorin) of India with significant energy bands centered at periods of 92, 43 and 23 min. The surge dome has a duration of 92.6, 84.5 and 74.8 h at Ratnagiri, Verem and Karwar, respectively. However, on the east coast, the sea level oscillations during Thane were similar to those during calm period except for more energy bands centred at periods of ~ 100, 42 and 24 min at Gopalpur, Gangavarm and Kakinada, respectively. Multi-linear regression analysis shows that the local surface meteorological data (daily-mean wind and atmospheric pressure) is able to account for ~ 57% and ~ 70% of daily-mean sea-level variability along the east and west coast of India. The remaining part of variability observed in the sea level may be attributed to local coastal currents and remote forcing.