Kallakkadal phenomenon

Current Context : Weather agencies has issued an alert in coastal areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu about the possibility of ‘Kallakkadal’ phenomenon.

ABOUT KALLAKADAL:

• It is essentially coastal flooding usually occurs in pre-monsoon (April May) or post – monson season by swell waves on southwest coast of India.
• It occurrs suddenly without any specific indications or warnings,
• Kallakadal term, commonly used by local fishermen, originates from a fusion of two Malayalam words: “Kallan” meaning thief, and “Kadal” meaning
• Sometimes, the phenomenon continues for a few days and the water level during high tides can reach as much as 3-4 metre above the maximum water level.