Rare Red Tide Event Witnessed Along Visakhapatnam Coast
Mysterious red waves stun Visakhapatnam visitors.
On the night of December 15, striking red-tinged waves illuminated the coastline along RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, particularly near the Kursura Submarine Museum. The vivid discoloration of the sea drew crowds of onlookers who gathered to witness the rare spectacle, with many capturing photographs and videos that quickly spread across various social media platforms, amplifying public intrigue.
The phenomenon was first prominently documented in a video recorded by local Instagram user M Gnanesh, whose footage captured the glowing crimson waves crashing ashore under the night sky. The clip rapidly went viral, accumulating thousands of views and shares, as netizens expressed amazement and sought explanations for what appeared to be an extraordinary natural event.
Dr Ramesh Babu, Head of the Marine Living Resources Department at Andhra University, provided a scientific clarification, stating that the reddish hue is caused by natural oceanographic processes involving internal warm currents. These currents, flowing from north to south along the coast, transport vast quantities of microscopic plankton, leading to dense accumulations near the shoreline when environmental conditions such as temperature and nutrient levels are favourable.
Also Read: Air India Flight to Visakhapatnam Cancelled at Vijayawada After Technical Snag
As populations of microplankton—including dinoflagellates, red algae, and other species—proliferate and subsequently decompose, they release organic debris and pigments that colour the water. Nutrient enrichment often originates from land-based sources, such as heavy rainfall, river outflows, floods, canal discharges, or sewage inflows, which introduce essential elements into coastal waters and trigger these algal blooms.
Scientifically termed red tides or harmful algal blooms in some contexts, these events are generally natural occurrences and do not pose immediate health risks upon contact, according to experts. However, they underscore the importance of responsible coastal observation and ecosystem protection. Similar marine phenomena, including the bioluminescent waves first recorded at Bheemili Beach in April 2023, demonstrate the dynamic and occasionally spectacular behaviour of Visakhapatnam's marine environment, with potential for recurrence depending on prevailing oceanic and climatic conditions.
Also Read: Nine Dead, 18 Injured as Bus Falls 200 Feet into Ravine in Andhra Pradesh’s ASR District
