Nivar cyclonic impacts on mollusk habitat destruction in Parangipettai, southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India: A case study

Abstract

Tropical storms form in the Bay of Bengal every year during the pre-monsoon season, affecting the coastal communities and the marine ecosystem. On November 25, 2020, severe cyclone Nivar impacted the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, causing massive damage to marine benthic species. The study found that the Nivar cyclone's high velocity wind impacted tidal currents and damaged sediment compartments. This phenomenonhas immensely affected the benthic communities of Mudasalodai, Parangipettai, Puthupettai, Samiyarpettai, and Kumarapettai. Post-Nivar cyclone observations revealed massive bivalve and gastropod mortality. The two molluscan species lost their habitats due to the tremendous cyclone effect. More than 1 lakh Mactra violacea were emigrated from Parangipettai and 5 lakh Turritella acutangula and T. attenuata were emigrated from Samiyarpettai. Thus, the Nivar cyclone severely damaged mollusk habitats along India's southeast coast. The severe cyclonic storm Nivar disrupted the southeast coast of India, with losses amounting to over $600 million.