CHENNAI: Last year's tsunami has "completely changed the beach profile" of the State, according to Anna University's Institute of Ocean Management.

Reacting to the "unusually high tidal activity" in the coastal areas in the last four days, S. Ramachandran, Director of the Institute, told The Hindu on Tuesday, "There is nothing unusual about the tidal activity per se. But, because of the tsunami, the coastal morphology has undergone a total change. Mouths of tidal inlets have become wider. Sand dunes have been flattened. Sand on the coastline has been washed away. As a result, the sea water enters further during the days of full moon and new moon."

The beach profile has changed in all tsunami-hit districts, including Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kanniyakumari. This is the main finding of a study being coordinated by the Institute at the initiative of the Centre's Department of Science and Technology.

The study began in May 2005 and will be completed in September. It covers, among others, the aspects of sediment structure, sediment morphology and coastal morphology. Dr. Ramachandran said the report would be published in the first week of October. The north coastal areas of the State have witnessed high tidal activity since Friday. In the Thiruvottiyur-Ennore belt near Chennai, seawater entered several fishing hamlets on Saturday, causing panic among residents.

The Union Ocean Development Department and the Geological Survey of India say they are also studying the possible factors that are behind the "unusual tidal activity."

Stating that the Department is watching the situation, P.S. Goel, Secretary, said: "The inputs that I receive indicate that there is nothing to feel alarmed about."

In the wake of the recent development, a team of GSI officials has been deputed to visit the State's coastal areas. Asked whether the tsunami has disturbed the topography, a senior GSI official said it was impossible to comment on the matter, as it was being studied. A report is expected to be ready in a couple of weeks.

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