AZE.US
Several beaches around Azerbaijan’s Absheron Peninsula may pose an increased drowning risk because of sudden changes in water depth, underwater currents and the continuing retreat of the Caspian Sea, according to a local expert.
Allahverdi Taghiyev, a senior lecturer at the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology at Baku State University, said some coastal areas where people now enter the water were located much farther offshore only a few years ago.
As the level of the Caspian Sea falls, the shoreline moves outward, exposing parts of the former seabed. However, the newly accessible areas are often uneven and may contain sudden drops.
As a result, swimmers can move through shallow water and unexpectedly step into a much deeper section.
Taghiyev said large underwater sandbanks also form in some areas. These formations can complicate the movement of water and contribute to strong return currents, which swimmers often describe as being “pulled away” or “carried by the sea.”
According to the expert, drowning risks are not caused only by human behavior or weather conditions. The geological structure of the seabed, coastal terrain, waves and underwater currents also play a major role.
He identified the beaches of Pirshaghi and Buzovna as areas where sandbanks and reverse currents frequently form.
At Shikhov Beach, strong northern winds can generate heavy waves and powerful water movement. The seabed in the area may also descend sharply, causing the depth to increase suddenly close to shore.
Potentially dangerous sections can also be found near Bilgah and Mardakan, where seabed formations and sediment deposits may affect the direction of currents.
At Novkhani Beach, one of the main risks is the abrupt increase in water depth near the coastline.
Taghiyev advised beachgoers to avoid entering the sea during strong winds or rough conditions, stay away from unfamiliar and unsupervised areas, and not assume that water is safe simply because they remain close to the shore.
AZE.US