Short-Term Response of Mandous Severe Cyclone on Coastal Water Quality Along Southwestern Bay of Bengal, India

Abstract

The investigation into coastal water quality during Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) Mandous in the southwestern Bay of Bengal utilizes satellite and water quality buoy data. Key observations include a decline in sea surface temperature (SST), fluctuations in salinity, and an increase in chlorophyll levels before and after the cyclone. SST dropped by more than 2 °C during the cyclone’s passage, recovering within a day. Cosatal waters north of the cyclone track exhibited lower salinity due to heavy precipitation and land runoff, and the cosatal waters south of the cyclone track experienced elevated salinity, likely caused by the transport of high-salinity offshore water through cyclonic eddies. A significant rise in chlorophyll-a concentration was also observed along the storm’s path. The formation of cyclonic eddies, vertical mixing, upwelling, and altered wind patterns during SCS Mandous had a marked impact on water quality. Real-time water quality monitoring can enhance early warning systems, support adaptive strategies for fisheries and aquaculture, and guide coastal infrastructure planning. Additionally, the study underscores the necessity of integrating climate change resilience into coastal zone management, ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities. This research highlights the importance of short-term coastal water variability assessments during extreme events for sustainable coastal management.