Abstract:
As a part of ongoing project on development of operational
hydrodynamic model covering Sri Lanka Waters and Northern Indian Ocean (67.5-
99.5 E and 1.5 S to 24.5 N), we employed a Princeton Ocean Model, NOAA (POM
08) to simulate wind driven circulation, sea surface topography, sea level setup,
upwelling and possible storm surge conditions. The JEBCO0.5 min bathymetry was
interpolated to generate high resolution horizontal and vertical grid domain. For the
model initial salinity and temperature data were extracted from World Ocean Atlas
2005 (WOA '05). Seasonal wind driven circulation simulations were carried out by
forcing monthly mean NCEP climatologically winds. Experimental model runs were
carried out with different wind speeds and directions to examine the possible storm
surge conditions. The model runs with SW winds reveals significant sea level setup
on the Bangladesh coast. The model results of SSH are compared with observational
data from the TOPEX altimeter. The model successfully captures many of the
important circulation features observed in the region. This includes the reversing
wind driven circulation, upwelling off south of Sri Lanka during SW monsoon,
strong currents south of Sri Lanka. The long term goal of this project is the
establishment of an operational hydrodynamic model to forecast physical process
including storm surge conditions covering Sri Lanka Waters and Northern Indian
Ocean.
