Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at
Explanation
The correct answer is Chandipur Beach in Odisha, which exhibits the unique phenomenon where the sea disappears and reappears, revealing a [1]mysterious coastal wonder. This mysterious phenomenon occurs almost twice a day, making Chandipur one of the most fascinating tidal beaches in the world, where the waters recede during low tide and return during high tide.[2] During low tide, the sea seemingly disappears for up to 5 km, revealing a vast expanse of sand[3] that allows people to walk on the exposed sea floor. This phenomenon is caused by extreme tidal variations, where the gentle slope of the seabed allows the water to recede over a long distance. The other optionsâBhavnagar, Bheemunipatnam, and Nagapattinamâdo not exhibit this distinctive characteristic of such dramatic tidal recession that exposes several kilometers of sea floor for walking.
Sources- [1] https://odishatourism.gov.in/content/tourism/en/blog-details/the-tale-of-chandipur-beach-beyond-the-vanishing-sea.html
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'General Awareness' question that defies standard textbooks like NCERT or GC Leong. It rewards curiosity about India's unique geographical features ('Incredible India' trivia) rather than rote physical geography. If you rely solely on static books, this is a skip; if you follow travel/culture features in newspapers, it's a sitter.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Explore the unique phenomenon of Chandipur Beach, where the sea disappears and reappears, revealing a mysterious coastal wonder in Odisha."
Why this source?
- Names Chandipur Beach and describes the sea 'disappearing and reappearing', matching the described tidal phenomenon.
- From an official/authoritative tourism source for Odisha, directly ties the location to the phenomenon in the statement.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The mysterious and unique phenomenon attached to this beach occurs almost twice a day, making Chandipur one of the most fascinating tidal beaches in the world. The waters in the sea recede during the time of low tide and return back during the time of high tide."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states the phenomenon occurs 'almost twice a day', matching the 'twice a day' frequency in the statement.
- States 'The waters in the sea recede during the time of low tide and return back during the time of high tide', matching the receding/exposing behavior.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Chandipur Beach in Odisha is truly a marvel of nature! Itâs fascinating to read that the sea seemingly disappear for up to 5 km during low tide, revealing a vast expanse of sand."
Why this source?
- Specifically notes that at Chandipur the sea can 'seemingly disappear for up to 5 km during low tide', matching 'several kilometres'.
- Mentions this reveals a 'vast expanse of sand', which supports the claim that the sea floor is exposed for walking.
- Names Chandipur Beach and describes the sea 'disappearing and reappearing', matching the described tidal phenomenon.
- From an official/authoritative tourism source for Odisha, directly ties the location to the phenomenon in the statement.
- Explicitly states the phenomenon occurs 'almost twice a day', matching the 'twice a day' frequency in the statement.
- States 'The waters in the sea recede during the time of low tide and return back during the time of high tide', matching the receding/exposing behavior.
- Specifically notes that at Chandipur the sea can 'seemingly disappear for up to 5 km during low tide', matching 'several kilometres'.
- Mentions this reveals a 'vast expanse of sand', which supports the claim that the sea floor is exposed for walking.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > 32.2. Tides > p. 500
Strength: 5/5
â⢠The periodical rise and fall of the sea level, once or twice a day, mainly due to the attraction of the sun and the moon, is called a tide. The study of tides is very complex, spatially and temporally, as it has great variations in frequency, magnitude and height.⢠The moon's gravitational pull to a great extent and to a lesser extent the sun's, are the major causes for the occurrence of tides. Another factor is the centrifugal force (which arises due to the rotation ofâ
Why relevant
Gives the basic definition and pattern of tides â periodic rise and fall of sea level once or twice a day â which is the fundamental mechanism behind any large sea recession at low tide.
How to extend
A student can combine this with local coastal topography (wide, shallow bays/estuaries) to see where twice-daily low tides could expose large areas.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Ocean Energy > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
âThe tidal waves and sea-waves are the main sources of ocean energy. India has a very long coastline, more than 6100 km, but the ocean energy production is limited. The suitable areas for the generation of tidal and sea-waves energy are: ⢠(i) The Gulf of Khambat⢠(ii) The Gulf of Kutch⢠(iii) The Estuary of Hugli According to one estimate, the Indian coasts have the potential to generate over 40,000 MW of electricity. A plant has been established near Thiruvanantapuram (Vizhingam) which is generating about 150 MW of electricity through sea-waves. The main problem in the exploitation of ocean energy is the high cost involved in the construction of civil works.â
Why relevant
Lists specific Indian locations (Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutch, estuary of Hugli) identified as suitable for tidal/sea-wave phenomena and energy exploitation, implying large tidal ranges there.
How to extend
Using a map to locate these gulfs/estuaries and noting their wide, shallow configuration would support suspecting large horizontal tidal recession there.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Explanation: > p. 508
Strength: 4/5
â⢠Diamond Harbour Port of Kolkata and the Kandla Port (Deendayal Port Authority,) (in the Gulf of Kutch) of Gujarat are the major tidal ports of India. So all the statements are true.â
Why relevant
Names major 'tidal ports' including Kandla (Gulf of Kutch) and Diamond Harbour (Hugli estuary), implying strong tidal influence at these locations.
How to extend
A student could check these ports' locations on a map and infer that strong tidal action in such estuaries/gulfs can expose seabed at low tide.
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Mineral and Energy Resources > Tidal and Wave Energy > p. 63
Strength: 4/5
âOcean currents are the store-house of infinite energy. Since the beginning of seventeenth and eighteenth century, persistent efforts were made to create a more efficient energy system from the ceaseless tidal waves and ocean current.
Large tidal waves are known to occur along the west coast of India. Hence, India has great potential for the development of tidal
energy along the coasts but so far these have not yet been utilised.â
Why relevant
States that large tidal waves are known to occur along the west coast of India, indicating the west coast (including Gujarat gulfs) has pronounced tidal behaviour.
How to extend
Combine this with the geographical fact that the Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch lie on the west coast to focus attention there for large tidal recession.
Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Coastal Landforms > Goastal Features of Erosion > p. 89
Strength: 3/5
âAs a cliff recedes landwards under the pounding of waves, an eroded base is left behind, called a wavecut platform (Plate 10.B). The platform, the upper part of which is exposed at low tide, slopes gently seawards and its surface is strewn with rock debris from the receding cliff. Further abrasion continues until the pebbles are swept away into the seaâ
Why relevant
Describes wavecut platforms whose upper part is exposed at low tide, providing an example of coastal areas where the seabed becomes exposed during low tide.
How to extend
A student can infer that where broad, gently sloping platforms or mudflats exist (e.g., in wide estuaries/gulfs), low tide can expose extensive seabed accessible on foot.
Gives the basic definition and pattern of tides â periodic rise and fall of sea level once or twice a day â which is the fundamental mechanism behind any large sea recession at low tide.
A student can combine this with local coastal topography (wide, shallow bays/estuaries) to see where twice-daily low tides could expose large areas.
Lists specific Indian locations (Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutch, estuary of Hugli) identified as suitable for tidal/sea-wave phenomena and energy exploitation, implying large tidal ranges there.
Using a map to locate these gulfs/estuaries and noting their wide, shallow configuration would support suspecting large horizontal tidal recession there.
Names major 'tidal ports' including Kandla (Gulf of Kutch) and Diamond Harbour (Hugli estuary), implying strong tidal influence at these locations.
A student could check these ports' locations on a map and infer that strong tidal action in such estuaries/gulfs can expose seabed at low tide.
States that large tidal waves are known to occur along the west coast of India, indicating the west coast (including Gujarat gulfs) has pronounced tidal behaviour.
Combine this with the geographical fact that the Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch lie on the west coast to focus attention there for large tidal recession.
Describes wavecut platforms whose upper part is exposed at low tide, providing an example of coastal areas where the seabed becomes exposed during low tide.
A student can infer that where broad, gently sloping platforms or mudflats exist (e.g., in wide estuaries/gulfs), low tide can expose extensive seabed accessible on foot.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.