Consequence of cyclonic storm Phailin on coastal morphology of Rushikulya estuary: an arribada site of vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles along the east coast of India

Current study emphasizes on recent very severe cyclonic storm Phailin of category -5 hurricane has caused significant morphologic changes in Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting ground in estuarine region of Rushikulya, east coast of India. In the present study, we have used Remote Sensing and GIS tools for investigating and quantifying the morphologic changes especially the sand spit of the study domain. Sequential satellite data (Geoeye & Landsat-8) pertaining to the period 2003 to 2014 were used in the current study. Significant reduction in the length (4.13 km) and area (0.43 sq. km) of the sand spit was observed in the post Phailin period in comparison with pre Phailin. Cyclone Phailin induced breaching of sand spit was one of the causative factor for the significant changes in estuarine geomorphology resulted in the decline of the number of Olive Ridley nesting in the subsequent year. In a nutshell, it can be claimed that, the technique used in this study provides vital information for the prediction of decline in Olive Ridley mass nesting