Variations in wind wave parameters measured in the coastal waters of north-eastern Bay of Bengal

Characteristics of the wind waves measured in the coastal waters of the northeastern Bay of Bengal are examined for 4 years. A comparison of the energy wave period (Te) with different wave periods shows that the average wave period (Tm–1,1), significant wave period (T1/3), and integral period (Ti) are closer to Te. A maximum wave height of 5.5 m is observed, and the most typical values for the wave period range between 4 and 6.5 s. The steepness of the highest wave is 0.058. In the coastal waters, the values of the peak wave period (Tp) indicate a swell dominance in the monsoon. Short-period waves (Tp < 6 s) are relatively higher in 2015 and the long-period waves (Tp > 8 s) in 2013 and the changes are due to the variations in monsoon. A large number of long-period waves is observed during the northeast monsoon. Thirty-seven freak wave events occurred, and the presence of freak waves is higher in the monsoon. Interannual variations in the mean of Tavg are up to 5