On the co-existence of high-energy low-frequency waves and locally-generated cyclone waves off the Indian east coast

Abstract

The evolution of wave energy spectra obtained from a directional waverider buoy at the landfall location (Gopalpur) of the very severe cyclonic storm Phailin in the Bay of Bengal is discussed. The study reveals that swells generated approximately 8600km away from the buoy location in the southern ocean (at 12 UTC on 3 October, 2013) travelled at a speed of 15.6m/s and contributed to create a complex wave field at Gopalpur during cyclone Phailin. The rare co-existence of the low-frequency (0.055Hz), high-energy (21.37m^2/Hz) southern ocean swells with local cyclone-generated swells during the period (8–12 October, 2013) is reported.