How can cyclones in the Arabian Sea change the land features of Lakshadweep?

Although cyclones rarely strike the islands of Lakshadweep, the intense winds and waves associated with them can significantly alter the land features of these coral atolls.1

Cyclones impact these low-lying islands in several ways:

• Shoreline Erosion: The powerful wave action generated by cyclones can carve back the shorelines of even stabilized cays.2
• Sediment Redistribution: Storm waves can drive coral fragments from the windward slopes of a reef to form new shingle banks, while simultaneously shifting sand deposits.2
• Debris Deposition: Cyclones may deposit large, isolated boulders of coral or limestone along reef margins, which serve as remnants of storm jetsam.2

These physical changes are significant because the islands are composed of sandy soil derived from coral, making them inherently vulnerable to the high-energy forces of storm events.21