Dynamic Changes in Coastal Geomorphology of Shiroda Coasts, using Remote Sensing and GIS: An Approach to Climate Change and Coastal Disaster Risk

Abstract

The coastline is a unique land feature formed through the interaction between land and sea. It is essential to monitor and detect hotspots and observe spatial and temporal influences of climate change in the coastal environment. Coastal landform changes can be best studied through remote sensing data. This study examines the dynamic changes in the sand spit and associated coastal area of the Shiroda coasts of Sindhudurg district. The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) was used to distinguish land and water and the area was calculated by reclassifying the NDWI index of all images with two classes- land surface of sand spit and water. It was found that the spit area is decreasing seasonally at a dynamic rate. Additionally, geomorphic maps were prepared for the study area and showed disastrous changes in the coastal landforms. It is a need that coastal communities worldwide must address the challenges of coastal flooding and rising sea levels caused by climate change. Climate change is causing uneven rainfall distribution, storms and cyclones, leading to coastal erosion, flooding and landform damage. Additionally, it has a negative impact on the geomorphic features of coastlines.