Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
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2.35<br />
This has led to the Government to the promulgation of the Coastal Regulatory Zones (CRZs). For the<br />
Digha Development Area, falling under the western coastal plains of West Bengal, the sectors A-1,<br />
B-5, F-1, F-2, H-1 & N are categorised as CRZ-III. The sectors B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-7, C-5, E & E-3<br />
are categorised as CRZ-II. In case of Haldia Development Area, also located in the western coastal<br />
plains, the Haldia Port Complex Area only is categorised as CRZ-II. The CRZ for Haldia shall be<br />
100m from the High Tide Line. For the Digha/Shankarpur area, the portion up to s<strong>and</strong> dunes has<br />
been classified as CRZ-I <strong>and</strong> area beyond dunes.<br />
There is a small stretch of sea beach to the west of Digha extending up to the West Bengal-Orissa<br />
border, which is a part of the Subarnarekha estuary. The character of this part of the coast is similar<br />
to that from Digha to Junput.<br />
2.5.1. Physical features<br />
Paul (2002) mentions that there are seven sets of beach ridges in the Subarnarekha estuary, which<br />
is in the Balasore district of Orissa, but just a few tens of kilometers along the coast from the Bengal<br />
border. Each set of beach ridge is followed by a number of bars. These are linear to slightly curved<br />
beach ridge features which are also extended towards the Kanthi coastal plains of the east<br />
Midnapore district, but the number of beach ridges followed by bars is reduced in the coastal<br />
tract.marine terraces are present all along the Digha shoreline of the east Midnapore district. The<br />
ancient dune ridge complex of Kanthi-Paniparul region is thought to be formed by the marine<br />
regression. The dune s<strong>and</strong>s are oxidised <strong>and</strong> the dune ridge indicates the position of the ancient<br />
shoreline of kanthi coastal plain.<br />
2.5.2. Topography<br />
The western coastal plain of West Bengal is represented by the str<strong>and</strong>plain surfaces of Kanthi <strong>and</strong><br />
Digha. Slow upheaval of the region <strong>and</strong> successive shoreline regression during the Holocene<br />
(geologic) period has left a significant topographic impression of ancient marine features. Series of<br />
beach ridges, bars <strong>and</strong> older dune ridges or younger dunes, tidal basins of the past <strong>and</strong> marine<br />
terraces reveal the typical raised features of this coast. All the linear features are parallel to the<br />
present day shoreline. Older s<strong>and</strong> dune sediments of Kanthi, Darua-Paniparul-dariapur-Khajuri<br />
regions are oxidised <strong>and</strong> rain washed over a prolonged period. By height <strong>and</strong> the largest area of<br />
occupation, the dune row represents first shoreline of str<strong>and</strong>plain surface <strong>and</strong> longer phase of the<br />
regressive sea. The eastward extension of the Ramnagar beach ridges is restricted by the presence