Kerala Coast on High Alert as Monsoon-Driven Currents Accelerate Oil Spill Spread

 Thiruvananthapuram | May 26, 2025 — A major environmental emergency is unfolding off Kerala’s coastline, as a rapidly spreading oil spill—triggered by the capsizing of a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel—threatens to contaminate large swathes of the state’s southern coastal belt. With the southwest monsoon intensifying, scientists now warn that the oil slick could begin impacting the districts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram as early as Monday night.

According to projections from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the spill is expected to affect approximately 21 km of the Alappuzha coast by late Monday, with a potential spread of up to 43 km by Tuesday morning.

“Our ocean models show a high probability of the oil slick and floating containers drifting towards the Kerala coast due to prevailing wind and wave conditions. The southern districts remain particularly vulnerable,” said Dr. T.M. Balakrishnan Nair, Director, INCOIS. “We have issued coastal advisories and are urging residents and fishermen to take necessary precautions.”

Incident Overview

The crisis began when a Liberian-flagged container vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, capsized roughly 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast at around 1:25 PM. While all crew members were safely rescued, the vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide—a chemical compound that reacts violently with water.

In addition, the ship held 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, both of which are now at risk of leaking into the Arabian Sea.

Monsoon Complicates Response

The onset of the southwest monsoon on May 24 has significantly complicated containment and clean-up efforts. With wind speeds picking up and waves reaching 3 to 3.5 metres, the oil and debris are moving swiftly toward the shoreline.

“The monsoon has made response efforts extremely challenging,” said Dr. S.C. Shenoi, senior marine scientist and former Director of INCOIS. “While typical ocean currents flow southward during this period, strong winds and high waves can override those currents and push pollutants toward the shore, increasing the risk of coastal contamination.”

Environmental and Health Concerns

Experts warn that if the vessel is not salvaged soon, the ongoing leakage from the submerged ship could worsen significantly. The longer the wreck remains on the sea floor, the greater the volume of oil likely to seep into the surrounding waters.

As the slick drifts, the oil may coagulate, settle on the seabed, or eventually wash ashore, depending on weather and sea conditions. Clean-up operations are being coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard, which is receiving real-time updates from INCOIS.

“Oil spills from cargo or tanker ships can be devastating,” Dr. Shenoi explained. “They contain a range of toxic compounds that pose severe threats to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Prolonged exposure can lead to long-term ecological damage and public health risks.”

While minor spills during ship refuelling are not uncommon, large-scale incidents involving hazardous cargo—such as the current case—pose a far graver threat, both in terms of clean-up complexity and environmental impact.

Vigilance and Mitigation

Authorities have stepped up surveillance across coastal districts, with advisories issued to local fishermen and residents. Satellite tracking of the oil slick’s trajectory continues, and contingency plans are being activated to mitigate damage to beaches, estuaries, and marine habitats.

As Kerala braces for what could be one of the most serious environmental challenges in recent years, scientific agencies, maritime authorities, and disaster response teams remain in close coordination. Immediate salvage of the vessel, containment of the slick, and systematic shoreline monitoring will be critical in the days ahead.