A study on shore-line dynamics during and post-construction of breakwaters in kasaragod fishing harbour

Abstract

Coast belonging to one particular stretch happens to be versatile because of its dynamicity. This dynamicity is accounted because of both natural and man-made activities. Hence, it is necessary to monitor any fragile coastal stretch’s dynamicity in a temporal basis. In this study, an attempt is made to study the dynamicity of coastal morphology using geospatial and numerical approach. Shore-line on both sides of Kasaragod River firth, laterally Karnataka coast of the India, has modified following construction of breakwaters for fishing harbour. The breakwaters were constructed between 2010 and 2015 after which a severe change is observed in shore-line. Construction flaws were reported as a result of which strong waves were formed leading to the difficulty in launching boats into the sea. Coastal morphology needs to be further analysed to propose a more scientific and lasting solution. Shore-line is extracted from field surveyed data (supplied by Department of Harbour Engineering, Kerala). To ensure the forecast end point rate (EPR) and linear regression rate (LRR) for shore-line data, digital shore-line analysis (DSAS) technique was applied and compiled for up to 2017 in response to the construction of a pair of breakwaters at river inlet. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd 2021.