Tamil Nadu Coastal Ecosystem

The 14 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the East, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south. The coastal length of Tamil Nadu is categorized into Coromandel coast from Pulicat to Point Calimere 357.2 km, Palk Bay from Point Calimere to Pamban 293.9 km, Gulf of Mannar from Pamban to Kanyakumari 364.9 km and west coast in Arabian sea from Kanyakumari to Neerodi 60.0 km (Report: TN fisheries, 2022).

The coasts are highly productive areas providing the nation’s economic growth, and livelihood opportunities. The highly dynamic coastal environment is under threat due to climate change-induced extreme waves, cyclones, sea level rise, and coastal flooding.

S. No	Districts	Coast Length in km
1	Tiruvallur	34.52
2	Chennai	39.51
3	Chengalpattu	74.58
4	Villupuram	33.69
5	Cuddalore	41.50
6	Mayiladuthurai	49.77
7	Nagapattinam	81.90
8	Tiruvarur	22.44
9	Tanjavur	43.27
10	Pudukkottai	43.55
11	Ramanathapuram	275.71
12	Thuthookudi	118.88
13	Tirunelveli	53.10
14	Kanyakumari	71.28

Sea Level Rise

Projected SLR under different Pathways

Coastal Impacts

Shoreline Changes (1992-2022)       Inundataion due to SLR (2021-2050)

Climate Risk

Baseline (1985-2014)                                     Near Century (2021-2050)