Sediment dynamics at Puri and Konark beaches, along northeast coast of India

The influence of annual and long term variations in the prevalent environmental conditions along the coast of Orissa, India between 1978-1985 (beach profile measurement between 1979-1982) has been evaluated. The results suggest that during December-February, southerly drift nourishes the beaches, and during May-September, waves with high energy density, unfavorably wave steepness and littoral currents from southwest induce erosion. Between 1979-82, the Konark Coast had an accretionary tendency owing to the favorable location of the area with respect to a fluvial source. The Puri Coast however, had an erosional tendency. About 5.37 m super(3).m/ly/l sediments were eroded between 1979-82 from this portion of the coast. This is in addition to the erosion induced by a moderate cyclone/depression, which on an average eroded about 70 m super(3).m/l sediments per cyclone.