The Andaman and
Nicobar Islands' Coastal protection in Light of nearshore Environmental Production
Rajesh K., Kurinjinathan P., Thayanithi V., Arularasan P. and Gayathri K.
Disaster Advances; Vol. 19(1); 93-100;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/191da0930100; (2026)
Abstract
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands experienced catastrophic damage from the December
2004 tsunami, resulting in significant loss of human life, biodiversity and mangrove
ecosystems. This study aims to analyze the coastline changes around the Andaman
Islands from 1990 to 2020, leveraging recent advancements in remote sensing and
geographic information systems (GIS). The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS),
a pivotal GIS tool, was utilized to calculate the rate of shoreline change in meters
per year. The study integrated high-resolution satellite imagery and advanced geospatial
techniques to accurately track and analyze shoreline dynamics. Inputs for DSAS included
merged shorelines and a defined baseline, from which transects were systematically
constructed to intersect the shorelines, allowing for precise rate calculations
at each intersection point. The result revealed the most alarming rate of erosion,
indicating that Rutland island experienced the highest erosion rates, with the western
side showing extreme erosion rates of -41.73 m/year and -51.18 m/year as determined
by the End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) methods.
Additionally, several islands in Andaman region underwent considerable shoreline
retreat, showing a direct threat to coastal settlements, marine life and local civilizations.
These findings highlight the severe impact of natural disasters on coastal regions
and underscore the importance of advanced geospatial tools in coastal management,
guiding disaster resilience planning and fostering ecosystem restoration effort
to safeguard the coastal environment of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Also, this
study recommends enhancing existing methodology by incorporating AI and machine
learning- based shoreline detection techniques for a modern approach.
