Sea level variations off Madras, East Coast of India

Abstract

Tide gauge observations near Madras Port, Tamil Nadu, India are presented and sea level fluctuations due to varying hydrometeorological parameters during different seasons are examined. Fluctuations in monthly and annual sea levels are attributed to the physical properties of seawater and climate in the neighbourhood of Madras. Sea level anomalies are often produced during abnormal meteorological disturbances like storms and cyclones. Strong onshore winds associated with a cyclone give rise to positive sea level anomalies while offshore winds produce negative sea level anomalies.