Studies on nearshore processes at Yarada Beach (South of Visakhapatnam Harbour), East Coast of India

Abstract

Influence of breakwaters on Yarada Beach, Andhra Pradesh, India (3.5 km length) stability and distribution on wave induced longshore currents in this region were studied. Monthly observations on variation in beach levels, distribution of wave induced longshore currents and visual observations on breaker heights and breaker angles were made at 8 stations from January 1978 to January 1979. There was accretion in Yarads Beach with a net addition of about 12,000 m³ of sand during the study period. Seasonal erosion and accretion patterns differed from place to place along the beach. Wave induced longshore current direction was towards NE from March to September and towards SW from November to February and its speed varied between 0.1 and 0.4 m sec^-1 during study period.