Numerical modelling of tide-surge interaction in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract
Numerical models are described for the evaluation of the interaction between tide and surge in the Bay of Bengal. The models are used to simulate the combined tidal and surge response on 3 June 1982 along the Orissa coast of India when the landfall of a tropical cyclone led to severe inland flooding. This is one of the few events for which a reliable tide-gauge reading is available and this enables a direct comparison to be made between the model predictions and the observationally determined sea-surface elevation anomaly. The comparison, although only utilizing limited observational data, appears sufficiently good for us to assert that the principal features of the surge response are correctly reproduced. A model simulation is also made of the surge that occurred along the Andhra coast of India during the period 18-20 November 1977 when there was heavy coastal inundation. Although tide-gauge readings are not available for this event, the predicted surge response agrees well with indirect estimates of the maximum sea-surface level and eyewitness accounts of inland flooding. The principal requirement for the operational use of these models is the availability of accurate data on the surface wind field together with a reliable forecast of the track to be followed by the tropical cyclone.