Eastern Coastal Plains

What causes tropical cyclone driven floods in India?
In the Indian region, landfalling tropical cyclones have the potential to cause floods in the river basins. Both tropical cyclone rainfall and antecedent soil moisture of the basin controls the severity of floods. Posted on 22 Oct, 2022 05:40 PM

Tropical cyclones are intense circular storms that originate over tropical oceans and are among the most significant threats to human life and property in the world. Tropical cyclones are associated with heavy rainfall and strong winds, which cause hazards such as storm surges and inland flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Phailin made its way over the Bay of Bengal towards the eastern Indian coast in 2013, with winds recorded at over 200kmph (Image: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, CC BY-ND 2.0)
Kerala top performer in Niti Aayog's SDG India Index 2020-21
News this fortnight Posted on 10 Jun, 2021 01:19 PM

NITI Aayog releases SDG India Index 2020-21, Kerala top performing state while Mizoram is the top gainer

View of lush green Kerala (Image source: ATREE via India Water Portal Flickr Album)
Rising sea temperatures pose a threat to coral reefs
Study analysing data of sea surface temperatures since 1982 finds that three mass bleaching events impacted five major Indian coral reefs. Posted on 25 Sep, 2019 07:21 PM

Bengaluru, September 24 (India Science Wire): The Indian coastline is home to an ancient and diverse coral reef system that provides natural habitat for diverse marine underwater ecosystem.

Image used for representational purposes only. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Asia is at high risk of flooding: Report
News this week Posted on 18 Jul, 2017 12:25 PM

Asia has the highest number of people exposed to flooding: Report

A woman wades through a flooded road. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Every day is a dry day in Kovaipudur
While Kovaipudur is finding it difficult to survive another season with no groundwater and an indifferent government, the solution is in harvesting every drop of rain it gets. Posted on 30 Jun, 2017 07:11 PM

With its pleasant climate and serene environment, Kovaipudur, a quaint township located in Coimbatore, was once known to be a haven for retired people. Kovaipudur is living out a nightmare now, one that has snowballed over the years.

Rainwater harvesting is the way to go in water scarce regions. (Source: IWP Flickr)
No fish in water, fishermen at sea
A film on the decline of traditional, sustainable way of fishing puts forth pertinent questions on the future of the marine life and the fishermen who are dependent on it. Posted on 29 Sep, 2016 01:24 PM

What makes a good fisherman? His tools like boats and intricate nets, the ability to make deep dives or the tenacity to stand the elements? For most of the fishers, it’s about having a deep understanding of the ecosystem and the wisdom to make it work for them. The fishing community at Palk Bay is a good example for this.

Fishers of Palk Bay out for a catch. Image by: Umeed Mistry
Monsoon 2015: Chinks in Chennai's infrastructure exposed
Yet to recover from the torrential lashing, the low-lying city of Chennai is slowly piecing its life back together. How ironic for a state that was a pioneer in rainwater harvesting. Posted on 19 Nov, 2015 09:34 PM

Chennai has historically been a water-starved region, but never rain-starved as it receives much of its annual quota during the northeast or ‘retreating’ monsoon between October and December. But this November was like no other. 

Flooded streets in Chennai
"Ultra Mega Power" to destroy!
The film 'Kaayal Kadhaigal' meaning 'stories from the lagoon', shows how Cheyyur's flourishing fishing and agricultural practices, could soon end due to an upcoming coal power plant. Posted on 12 Sep, 2014 01:09 PM

Cheyyur, a town 100 km from Chennai in Kanchipuram, has been identified as the site for a 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

One of Cheyyur's productive lagoons
Plastic bags don't just pollute, they kill!
The Olive Ridley sea turtle, which has been in existence for millions of years, has now become a critically endangered species because of increased coastal development and human activity. Posted on 07 Sep, 2014 10:07 AM

If one takes a walk on the coastal towns of Neelankarai and Marina in Chennai between December and April, distinct tracks in the sand will be visible from the beach till the shore. These are the unmistakeable tracks of the Olive Ridley sea turtles that nest on these beaches.

Hatchlings ready for safe release into the sea
Mumbai to get India's longest 'water metro' - Updates from the Resource and Information Network for the Coasts' March 2013 newsletter
This article presents the highlights of the TRINet newsletter Posted on 01 Mar, 2013 10:29 PM

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The March edition of the TRINet has the following highlights:

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