Shoreline management plan for a mudbank dominated coast.

Coastal processes along the Munambam to Chettuwa coastline located at the south-west part of India have been studied to understand the role of a mudbank and artificial structures like breakwaters in causing shoreline changes. The mudbank occurring along this coast is different from those in South America, Lousiana and China. The morphology and coastal processes of the coast have been studied by collecting nearshore and beach data from 2009 to 2013. Location of the mudbank area has been shifting over the years from north to south. The beach at the mudbank and its north is accreting while the southern side is eroding. Harbor breakwaters and seawalls are other factors influencing beach stability. An erosion hotspot along this mudbank coast is identified and management interventions proposed based on numerical model studies using MIKE 21 SW model and LITPACK. The model results are calibrated and validated with field observations. Sediment transport along this sector was estimated using LITDRIFT module. Shoreline change was calculated using the LITLINE module. The production run was carried out with different management options and the most suitable option is recommended for the eroding sector. The other sectors do not require any intervention to sustain the beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]