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Extract from the Chapter
7. The Invisible Chandipur Beach, Odisha
Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.
The sea can actually be witnessed disappearing and reappearing. This is because the sea water moves. It retreats by 2–5 km during ebb tide, the duration between the high tide and low tide, and comes back to the shore at the time of high tide. This unusual natural phenomenon keeps on happening daily, where one can actually see the sea, and then watch it disappear in front of their eyes!
These awe-inspiring natural wonders of India highlight the mystique of the country’s landscapes, each phenomenon telling its own story of nature’s artistic flair and enigmatic charm. They challenge our understanding of the natural world and captivate our senses. They serve as a reminder of the extraordinary forces that shape our environment, blending scientific intrigue with the magic of folklore.
Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there’s a sea that disappears?
This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously—the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors.
The sea can actually be witnessed disappearing and reappearing. This is because the sea water moves. It retreats by 2–5 km during ebb tide, the duration between the high tide and low tide, and comes back to the shore at the time of high tide. This unusual natural phenomenon keeps on happening daily, where one can actually see the sea, and then watch it disappear in front of their eyes!
These awe-inspiring natural wonders of India highlight the mystique of the country’s landscapes, each phenomenon telling its own story of nature’s artistic flair and enigmatic charm. They challenge our understanding of the natural world and captivate our senses. They serve as a reminder of the extraordinary forces that shape our environment, blending scientific intrigue with the magic of folklore.
retreats
— goes backwards
ebb tide
— period of time when water flows away from the shore
mystique
— mystery
enigmatic
— puzzling
intrigue
— interest
Summary in Bullet Points
- Location: Balasore district, Odisha.
- Disappearing effect: During ebb tide, the sea moves several kilometres away.
- Return: At high tide, water comes back.
- ‘Hide-and-seek’: Repeated retreat and return make the sea seem playfully present and absent.
Questions from this Section
Why is Chandipur described as an ‘invisible’ beach phenomenon?
2 Marks
How to answer:
State the phenomenon and its direct explanation.
View Answer
Answer: The sea retreats far from the shore during ebb tide and later returns at high tide, so visitors can watch the water seem to disappear and reappear.
What is the effect of saying that the sea plays ‘hide-and-seek’ with visitors?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain what the detail shows beyond the basic fact.
View Answer
Answer: The familiar game turns a tidal process into a vivid, playful image. It helps readers imagine the repeated disappearing and returning of the sea while increasing curiosity about the natural explanation.
