Sea level changes along the Indian coast: Observations and projections

Abstract

Besides causing a sea level rise, there is a co ncern that global warming may cause changes in the occurrence of extreme events such as cyclones. Extreme events in the coastal regions occur in the form of storm surges, apart from tsunamis. The occurrence of extreme events is more or less a regional phenomenon, caused by changes in regional climate. The occurrence of storm surges is co mmon to the countries surrounding the Bay of Bengal, as the Bay is the hotbed of generation of tropical cyclones. Any i ncrease in the frequency or intensity of tropical distu rbances in future will cause increased damages to life and property in the coastal regions. The present paper mainly deals with the occurrence of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and associated storm surges in a future climate scenario. Projections for the future are needed for decision making by planners and policy makers. Future projections are made for different scenarios 2