Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences

Vol. 40(1), February 2011, pp. 32-36

Changes of selected hydrological parameters in Hooghly estuary in response

to a severe tropical cyclone (Aila)
A Mitra, P Halder & K Banerjee1
Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, 35, B.C. Road, Kolkata –700 019, India
1
[Email: banerjee.kakoli@yahoo.com]
Received 01 October 2009; revised 15 February 2010

Effects of Aila, a severe tropical cyclone on three major hydrological parameters namely surface water salinity, pH and
DO in the western part of the deltaic Sundarbans region of Indian sub-continent at the apex of Bay of Bengal is ascribed in
the present study. It consists the in situ studies before and during Aila at 12 sampling stations in the Hooghly estuarine
complex and also extended our studies further (ten days after the storm hit the Gangetic delta) to visualize the situation of
the aquatic phase. There were changes in surface water salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) due to intrusion of saline
water from the Bay of Bengal. Due to this severe cyclonic storm, high energy tidal surges increased the average salinity of
surface water from 13.64±6.24 ppt to 17.08±8.03 ppt, which is a rise of 25.2%. Average pH changed from 7.99±0.20 to
8.01±0.21 which is an increase of 25.03%. Average DO decreased from 5.24±0.70 ppm to 4.95±0.51 ppm, which reflects a
fall of 5.53% in the area of investigation due to intrusion of sea water. Ten days after the Aila incidence was over, the
salinity and DO exhibited gradual restoration. Such drastic changes of hydrological parameters due to natural calamities
may pose an adverse impact on the ecology of the deltaic complex and requires a systematic planning to combat the
ecological effect of the disaster.

[Keywords: Aila, severe cyclonic storm (SCS), Hooghly estuarine complex, surface water salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO)]

Introduction speed of Aila (110 km/hour) on 25th May, 2009 in the

Tropical cyclones are major hazards in tropical
coastal regions, both in terms of loss of life and
economic damage. Many violent severe local storms
occur over the Gangetic plain of West Bengal and
neighbouring Bangladesh due to Nor’westers.
Formations like squall line, wind squall are typically
associated with this type of development and many a
times, these severe local storms appear as natural
hazard1. Such cyclones originate in the Bay of Bengal
during the spring (April-May) and fall (October-
November) inter-monsoon2. While the effect of tropical
cyclone to the cooling of Sea Surface Temperature
(SST) is widely known3,4,5, its effect on the physico-
chemical characters of near shore water is yet to be
documented. Present study consists the changes of
physico-chemical variables in the surface layer of
Hooghly estuarine complex due to a severe tropical
cyclone Aila that passed across the Gangetic delta with
a speed of 110 km/hour during 25th May 2009.
Materials and Methods
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
classified cyclone on the basis of sustained wind
speed into six major types (Table 1). Considering the
Gangetic delta stretch, it can be designated as Severe
Cyclonic Storm (SCS). Aila was formed in the central
Bay of Bengal as the net output of several factors.
Around May 20th 2009, monsoon initiated at
Andaman. Under its influence, the southerly surge
over the region increased. It resulted in increase in the
horizontal pressure gradient and the north-south wind
gradient over the region. Hence the lower level
horizontal convergence and relative vorticity
increased gradually over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
This condition triggered the development of the upper
air cyclonic circulation extending up to mid-
tropospheric level on 21st May over the southeast Bay
of Bengal and associated convective cloud clusters
persisted over the region. Under the influence of the
cyclonic circulation, a low pressure area developed
over the southeast Bay of Bengal on 22nd May
morning. It laid over east central and adjoining west
central Bay of Bengal on 22nd evening. It concentrated
into a depression and lay centered at 1130 hours IST
of 23rd near Lat. 16.5º N/ Long 88.0º E about 600 kms
south of Sagar Island, the largest island in Indian
Sundarbans out of 102 island clusters. The track of
the system is shown in Fig. 1.
 MITRA el at: CHANGES OF SELECTED HYDROLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN HOOGHLY ESTUARY 33

Table 1―Tropical Cyclone Classifications (all winds are

10-minute averages)
Storm type Abbreviation Wind Speed (km/hr)
Super cyclone SC >221
Very severe cyclonic storm VSCS 119-221
Severe cyclonic storm SCS 88-118
Cyclonic storm CS 63-87
Cyclonic depression CDP 62 or less
Cyclonic disturbance during CD Not specified
monsoon
Source: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

Fig. 1―Track of AILA during 23rd to 26th May, 2009

According to INSAT imageries, a low level
circulation developed over South Bay of Bengal on
21st May 2009 at 0830 hrs IST, which developed into
a Vortex with center 11.5º N/85.5º E and intensity
T1.0 at 1730 hr IST on the same day. It gained
intensity of T1.5 corresponding to depression with
centre 16.5º N/88.0º E at 1130 hrs IST of 23rd May. It
was the shear pattern at the time of cyclogenesis with
maximum convection lying to the southwest of the
system centre. The INSAT imagery of the system at
the stage of depression is shown in Fig. 2.
The cyclone retained its intensity for about
15 hours after it hit the landmasses as it was close to
the Bay of Bengal. It laid centered over the Gangetic
delta for a considerable period of time, ascertaining
the availability of moisture. Due to occurrence of Aila
there was intrusion of saline water from Bay of
Bengal into the Hooghly-Matla estuarine system. The
present study was conducted on 18th May, 2009
(before the Aila event, and even before the initiation
of monsoon at Andaman) and 27th May, 2009 during
Aila. The study was extended further 10 days, 4th June
2009, after the incidence of Aila in 12 different
stations in the Hooghly estuary to observe the change
in selected hydrological parameters.
The entire network of the investigation encompassed Fig. 2―(a) Initiation of Aila, (b) Deep depression, (c) Aila with
the monitoring of hydrological parameters on 18th May, severity
34 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 40, NO. 1 FEBRUARY 2011
2009 (pre-Aila phase, designated as Phase A), 27th May
(Aila phase, referred to as Phase B) and 4th June (post-
Aila phase, referred to as Phase C) in 12 sampling
stations in the Hooghly estuarine system of Gangetic
delta (Table 2). A GPS was used to fix the coordinates
of sampling sites in the estuarine stretch. For each
observational station, triplicate water samples were
collected from the surface during two tidal conditions
at a distance of 50 meters of each other and analyzed
for the selected parameters. The values are thus the
mean (of three samples) ± S.D.
The surface water salinity was recorded by means
of an optical refractometer (Atago, Japan) in the field
and cross-checked in laboratory by employing Mohr-
Knudsen method6. The correction factor was found
out by titrating the silver nitrate solution against
standard seawater (IAPO standard seawater service
Charlottenlund, Slot Denmark, chlorinity =
19.376‰). Our method was applied to estimate the
salinity of standard seawater procured from NIO and
a standard deviation of 0.02% was obtained for
salinity. Glass bottles of 125ml were filled to
overflow from collected water samples and Winkler
titration was performed for the determination of
dissolved oxygen. The pH was recorded with a
portable pH meter with an accuracy of ± 0.01.
Table 2—Location of the sampling stations
A Surface Water Monitoring Locations
Sl. Sampling Station Coordinates
No.
1 Raichak (Stn.1) 22° 12' 12. 00"N and 88° 07' 42.
09"E
2 Diamond Harbour (Stn.2) 22° 11' 04. 02" N and 88° 10' 50.
52"E
3 Kulpi (Stn.3) 22° 36' 28. 86"N and 88° 23'
28.32"E
4 Balari (Stn.4) 22° 07' 02. 16"N and 88°11'35.
34"E
5 Haldi River mouth (Stn.5) 22° 00' 26. 07"N and 88° 03'
29.64"E
6 Nayachar (Stn.6) 22° 00' 30. 42"N and 88° 03'
32.52"E
7 Khejuri Reserve Forest 21° 54' 51. 66"N and 88° 00'
(Stn.7) 56.52"E
8 Ghoramara Island (Stn.8) 21° 56' 15. 24"N and 88° 07' 33.
06"E
9 Harwood point (Stn.9) 21° 56' 15. 24"N and 88° 07' 33.
6"E
10 Harinbari (Stn.10) 21° 46' 54. 12"N and 88° 04' 02.
64"E
11 Chemaguri (Stn.11) 21° 39' 49. 32"N and 88° 09' 11.
88"E
12 Sagar South (Stn.12) 21° 39' 04. 68"N and 88° 01' 47.
28"E
Results and Discussion
Tropical cyclones and storms are very common in
the Bay of Bengal. They severely affect the eastern
coast of India as compared to that of the Arabian Sea.
According to Koteswaram7, there were about 346
cyclones that include 133 severe ones in the Bay of
Bengal, whereas the Arabian Sea had only 98
cyclones including 55 severe ones between the year’s
l891 and l970. Cyclones with tremendous speed hit
the coastline and inundate the shores with strong tidal
wave, severely damaging the coastal resources.
Intrusion of seawater into the upstream riverine zone
through estuaries, creeks and inlets has high
probability to alter the chemical composition of the
aquatic phase, which is a subject of present
discussion.
Present study recorded the increase of surface water
salinity (Fig.3) by 17.00%, 21.52%, 23.44%, 23.92%,
24.07%, 24.49%, 24.76%, 25.02%, 25.32%, 25.71%,
26% and 28.99 % at Raichak (Stn. 1), Diamond
Harbour (Stn. 2), Kulpi (Stn. 3), Balari (Stn. 4), Haldi
River mouth (Stn. 5), Nayachar (Stn. 6), Khejuri River
Forest (Stn. 7), Ghoramara Island (Stn. 8), Harwood
point (Stn. 9), Harinbari (Stn. 10), Chemaguri (Stn. 11)
and Sagar South (Stn. 12) respectively and this
increase is significant at 1% level (Table 3 & 4).
Salinity of water can greatly affect organisms
surviving in the system. A rise in salinity can cause
harmful algal bloom as seen in case of alga,
Chattonella marina. These blooms may pose an
adverse effect on secondary production especially by
killing local fish8. While salinity has been known to
have a positive impact on the growth of algal blooms,
high salinity has been known to stunt algae growth,
which can affect the productivity of the system.
The pH value also increased significantly in the
study area (Fig.4) due to sudden intrusion of seawater
in the estuarine system (e.g., 0.13% increase at
Diamond Harbour, 0.12% increase at Haldi River
mouth, Khejuri River Forest, Harwood point,
Fig. 3―Salinity in the study area
 MITRA el at: CHANGES OF SELECTED HYDROLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN HOOGHLY ESTUARY 35

Table 3―Variations of hydrological parameters during different phases before and during Aila
Stations Surface Surface Surface pH pH pH D.O D.O D.O
water salinity water salinity water salinity (Phase A) (Phase B) (Phase C) (Phase A) (Phase B) (Phase C)
(Phase A) (Phase B) (Phase C)
Stn. 1 3.41± 0.03 3.99 ± 0.05 3.45 ± 0.03 7.65 ± 0.02 7.65 ± 0.01 7.65 ± 0.02 5.71 ± 0.18 4.98 ± 0.09 5.23 ± 0.18
Stn. 2 4.88 ± 0.02 5.93 ± 0.08 4.96 ± 0.05 7.68 ± 0.03 7.69 ± 0.02 7.68 ± 0.03 5.43 ± 0.20 5.00 ± 0.12 5.21 ± 0.16
Stn. 3 6.10 ± 0.04 7.53 ± 0.08 6.18 ± 0.08 7.70 ± 0.04 7.70 ± 0.03 7.70 ± 0.02 6.63 ± 0.22 6.03 ± 0.14 6.50 ± 0.24
Stn. 4 13.17 ± 0.10 16.32 ± 0.14 13.98 ± 0.15 8.00 ± 0.04 8.00 ± 0.03 8.00 ± 0.01 6.55 ± 0.28 5.89 ± 0.21 6.11 ± 0.21
Stn. 5 12.05 ± 0.07 14.95 ± 0.09 12.78 ± 0.09 8.10 ± 0.03 8.11 ± 0.04 8.10 ± 0.03 4.80 ± 0.17 4.74 ± 0.14 5.31± 0.19
Stn. 6 13.84 ± 0.12 17.23 ± 0.12 14.01 ± 0.10 8.00 ± 0.02 8.03 ± 0.04 8.01 ± 0.01 4.91 ± 0.10 4.67 ± 0.10 5.12 ± 0.13
Stn. 7 15.55 ± 0.06 19.40 ± 0.16 15.98 ± 0.14 8.10 ± 0.02 8.11 ± 0.03 8.11 ± 0.04 4.80 ± 0.10 4.65 ± 0.12 5.32 ± 0.17
Stn. 8 14.43 ± 0.08 18.04 ± 0.15 14.87 ± 0.11 8.10 ± 0.03 8.12 ± 0.03 8.11 ± 0.02 4.75 ± 0.12 4.43 ± 0.08 5.02 ± 0.11
Stn. 9 17.22 ± 0.09 21.58 ± 0.11 17.96 ± 0.12 8.10 ± 0.03 8.11 ± 0.02 8.11 ± 0.02 4.60 ± 0.08 4.54 ± 0.09 5.99 ± 0.13
Stn. 10 19.33 ± 0.10 24.30 ± 0.14 20.05 ± 0.14 8.15 ± 0.04 8.15 ± 0.02 8.16 ± 0.03 4.68 ± 0.13 4.60 ± 0.11 5.06 ± 0.12
Stn. 11 20.58 ± 0.16 25.93 ± 0.17 21.00 ± 0.15 8.20 ± 0.03 8.21± 0.03 8.21 ± 0.04 5.05 ± 0.15 4.99 ± 0.13 5.19 ± 0.15
Stn. 12 23.08 ± 0.19 29.77 ± 0.15 24.67 ± 0.16 8.20 ± 0.04 8.21 ± 0.03 8.21 ± 0.03 5.02 ± 0.12 4.91 ± 0.11 5.27 ± 0.18
Phase A = pre-Aila period (18.05.2009), Phase B = Aila phase (27.05.2009), Phase C = post-Aila phase (04.06.2009); Units of surface
water salinity and DO are ppt and ppm respectively
Table 4―ANOVA for selected physico-chemical variables high salinity (because of seawater intrusion), which
during different phases before and after Aila may result in the mortality of aquatic life or affect
Phase of F value P Value their metabolic process and rate. Depletion in
sampling dissolved oxygen (and resulting decrease in water
Between Salinity pH DO Salinity pH DO quality) can cause major shifts in the kinds of aquatic
Phase A & 43.61 12.44 15.94 3.84 × 10-5 0.0047 0.0021 organisms found in water bodies, and evidences of
Phase B such shifts, if any, need to be properly documented
Between 46.45 2.20 24.87 2.89 × 10-5 0.1660 0.0004 for such situation originating from tidal surges and
Phase B &
Phase C intrusion of seawater.
(Fcrit = 4.84 at df = 1 and n= 36) Similar in-situ investigation was conducted in the
same locations 10 days after the Aila (denoted as
Phase C) to evaluate the status of hydrological
parameters and observed a recovery trend in all cases.
Decrease in aquatic salinity (13.53% at Raichak,
16.36% at Diamond Harbour, 17.93% at Kulpi, 14.34
% at Balari, 14.52% at Haldi River mouth, 18.69% at
Nayachar, 17.63% at Khejuri Reserve Forest, 17.57%
at Ghoramara Island, 16.77% at Harwood point,
17.49% at Harinbari, 19.01% at Chemaguri, and
17.13% at Sagar South) was observed and which is
Fig. 4―pH in the study area significant at 1% level as confirmed through ANOVA
Chemaguri and Sagar South, 0.38% increase at (Table 3 & 4). This is a clear indication of restoration
Nayachar and 0.25% increase at Ghoramara Island) as of the water quality (in terms of salinity) after the Aila
confirmed by the ANOVA (Table 4). High pH can incidence. The relatively high salinity in the post-Aila
affect the benthic community by way of precipitating phase (Phase C) in comparison to pre-Aila phase
the heavy metals from the aquatic phase to underlying (Phase A) is a normal trend of the present
sediment compartment 9,10,11. geographical locale as pointed out earlier by several
The DO level also varied significantly during the workers12,13,14. Such increase will continue till the end
pre-Aila and Aila period as shown in Table 4 (Fobs = of June, and with the onset of monsoon the salinity
15.94 > Fcrit = 4.84). Due to Aila the DO level in the value will drop. Restoration of DO is also confirmed
surface water of the study area decreased from an through ANOVA (Table 3 & 4). In case of pH, no
average value of 5.24±0.70 ppm to 4.95±0.51 ppm, significant variation was observed between Aila and
which is a fall by 5.53% (Fig. 3 & 5). This low DO post-Aila period as revealed from Table 4 (Fobs = 2.2
during the Aila period (Phase B) may be attributed to < Fcrit = 4.84), which may be attributed to buffering
36 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 40, NO. 1 FEBRUARY 2011
Fig. 5―Do level in the study area
capacity of the seawater and normal rising trend of
surface water pH during June in the study area12,13,14.
Geographical and geological setting of Indian
Sundarbans has made the area extremely vulnerable to
cyclones and tidal surges. Dube et al15, created models
to simulate the storm surges from past cyclones in the
head of the Bay of Bengal (Orissa, West Bengal and
Bangladesh) and discussed the formation and effect of
each of these storms that were modeled. The extent of
storm surges in the Bay of Bengal region and the
causes behind extreme sea levels were also analysed
by earlier workers16. Main reasons behind the
increased vulnerability are:
• Coastal waters (shallow bathymetry extending
tens of kilometres offshore);
• Convergence of the bay;
• High astronomical tides;
• Thickly populated low-lying islands;
• Favourable cyclone tracks impacting
perpendicular to coastline; and
• Innumerable inlets and river systems.
The situation of deltaic Sundarbans coincides with
most of these points. Being located at the apex of Bay
of Bengal, the islands of the deltaic complex (102 in
numbers) are much lower than mean sea level and are
criss-crossed by networks of creeks and inlets. The
present geographical locale is an understudied area, and
there is paucity of scientific studies on the dynamics of
physico-chemical characteristics of water induced by
cyclones and subsequent tidal surges. Present study
may therefore serve as base line information of
changes in hydrological parameters due to cyclonic
storms and calls for a sound disaster management
strategy to combat the ecological damage.
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to the Ministry of Earth
Sciences, Govt. of India for providing financial
support in undertaking this programme.
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