A Study on Morphodynamic Nature of Muthalapozhi Fishery Harbour in Kerala Using Geospatial Approach

Abstract

It is crucial to monitor the dynamics of any fragile coastal stretch on a regular basis. Shorelines on both sides of Muthalapozhi tidal inlet, which is located along Kerala coast in India, were modified after the construction of breakwaters for a fishing harbour. The fishing harbour work was initiated in 2002. Severe erosion at the immediate North of the breakwater and choking of harbour mouth due to spit formation was observed. The construction of modified breakwaters began in 2013, after resolving the deficiencies in the first phase. Coastal morphology needs to be further analysed to check the adequacy of the breakwaters. An attempt to study the dynamicity of coastal morphology of Muthalapozhi Harbour using geospatial approach is reported in this paper. In response to the breakwater construction, End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) are calculated using Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) in ArcGIS software. The results indicate that high accretion with a maximum rate of 209 m/year in the year 2019 is observed on the immediate southern side of the south breakwater. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.