INCOIS issues alert for marine heatwave and swell surge along India's coasts

According to a report by ‘The Hindu’, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a research institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has issued a warning for a Marine Heatwave (MHW) in the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal. This rising temperature could have adverse effects on coastal biodiversity, marine productivity, and coral reef ecosystems.

The intensity of this marine heat is primarily classified into ‘Watch’ and ‘Alert’ categories, indicating sea surface temperature anomalies of up to 1 degree Celsius from normal levels. The study area covered under this service has been divided into six ocean basins for detailed regional analysis, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Southern Indian Ocean, and South China Sea, as well as 14 sectors along the Indian coast.

Scientists are also assessing the intensity of the marine heatwave and its potential impacts on seagrass meadows, seaweed ecosystems, and the fishing industry. These conditions could lead to loss of biodiversity, changes in species distribution, and long-term environmental changes associated with climate change.

On Wednesday, 4 November, 2026, INCOIS also issued a swell surge warning for the next two days for both the east and west coasts as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Additionally, a risk warning was issued for Car Nicobar Island.

According to an official bulletin, the coasts of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are expected to be affected by one or more high waves.