Morphological Response of Sandy Beaches to Tauktae Cyclone in Goa, West Coast of India

Extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae traversed along the west coast of India during 14–19 May 2021 and reached its peak on 17 May 2021. The cyclone passed along the Goa coast on 16 May 2021, wherein the eye of the cyclone was about 100 km from the coastline. The effect of this cyclone was felt severely along the coastal stretches due to increased wave and wind effects over the beaches. The influence of the Tauktae cyclone on beach morphology has been studied in this paper. A total coastal stretch of about 27 km long in South Goa and 7 km in North Goa is considered. Beach profiles at 9 locations were measured before and after the cyclone, and volumes on the foreshore were compared. The cyclone waves and wind impact on the beaches resulted in erosion at most locations. The retreat of the berm was between 5 and 16 m, while the foreshore erosion volumes ranged between 25.82 and 132.5 m3/m. Profiles measured between 8 and 27 June, i.e. within one month of the cyclone passage, showed varying rates of accretion/erosion. Further measurements of monthly profiles are carried out. The cyclone impact on the beach profiles in terms of changes in morphology features and beach volumes is presented in this paper.