Ernakulam: The bean-shaped underwater island in the Arabian sea is again in headlines with discussions over its formation. The island formed near the estuary of Kochi, about seven km west off the coast, was put out using the Google Maps satellite image. It was first noticed by the Chellanam Karshika Tourism Development Society. According to reports, a sand dune formed at a depth of about 25 meters under the sea was noticed but experts have expressed doubts that there is a chance it could be even a plankton assemblage as a mass.
Reports suggest that very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi, which was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea and devastated parts of Sri Lanka and India in 2017, would have led to the formation of the sand dune. "The island is about 8 km in length and 3.5 km in breadth and it is suspected that its impact is causing severe sea level rise in coastal areas including Chellanam," Advocate K Xavier Jolappan, President of Chellanam Karshika Tourism Development Society told ETV Bharat.
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After cyclone Ockhi, I sailed from Fort Kochi to Andhakaranazhy village to study the nature of the sea. Later, a Google Earth search showed an island under the sea. Now that the sea level has risen in the Chellanam region, it seems that more scientific studies are needed on this sand dune. The nature of the island has not changed significantly in the last four years, said Jolappan.
"The presence of the island also impedes the flow and causes the formation of strong vortices into the sea. The soil deposit should be used to build artificial shores in coastal areas which have been largely affected by the floods," he added. According to former director - research, at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), KV Jayachandran, chances are there could be a plankton assemblage as a mass, as, such formations can be captured by satellite imagery. This phenomenon is seen commonly in temple ponds inland localities, he said.
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Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of KUFOS, K. Riji John also pointed out that only through a proper investigation can one find out what the new structure was. "To make any sort of comment or opinion on this phenomenon at this stage is too early and it will be too premature. As the first step, we are now going to call a meeting of agencies who work in this area and once we do that, then we will approach the state government to take forward our studies," said John.
Chellanam Karshika Tourism Development Society has also submitted a similar request to the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) expert committee appointed by the government to suggest scientific solutions.
(with inputs from agency)
