Wave characteristics along Visakhapatnam coast

120-124Wave characteristics along Visakhapatnam coast have been studied with a view to finding out the property of high storm waves responsible for erosion along this coast, and their effect on navigational operations along Visakhapatnam coast. Analysis of wave height, direction and period in different months shows that the predominant wave directions are south-west and north-east, and high amplitudes are associated with stormy weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal. Wave characteristics are explained in relation to the climate over India and its neighbourhood. An attempt has been made to hindcast the significant waves along Visakhapatnam coast during October-December when severe tropical storms of Pacific origin enter into the Bay of Bengal and intensify. PNJ method adopted appears to give satisfactory results for this region when compared with the ship observations. Wave characteristics along the coast significantly differ from deep sea wave characteristics and the deviations are attributed to the refraction while propagating over irregular bottom topography in shallow water