Swell waves alert for several states

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has forecast that high sea waves, also known as swell waves, might hit the coastal areas of Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Swell waves are formed by an ocean swell, hence the name. Ocean swells occur because of distant storms such as hurricanes, or even long periods of fierce gale winds. During such storms, huge energy transfer takes place from the air into the water, leading to the formation of very high waves. Such waves can travel thousands of kilometres from the storm centre until they strike shore. To forecast swell waves, INCOIS launched the Swell Surge Forecast System in 2020 which can give forewarning seven days in advance.