KU team studies tornado-like winds that uprooted over 200 trees in Mulugu forest
HYDERABAD: A team of researchers from Kakatiya University (KU), Warangal, has identified the reasons behind the uprooting of more than 200 trees after tornado-like winds swept through a forest in Mangapet mandal of Mulugu district on July 28.
Researchers assess damage in Mangapet forest
The team, led by environmentalist and botanist Dr. Sutari Satish, visited the forest near Sandroni Ooru on the Mangapet–Komatipalli road on Sunday to study the damage.
After the inspection, Dr. Satish said the powerful winds uprooted more than 200 trees. He explained that forest trees often develop shallow root systems instead of deep roots. This makes them more vulnerable to strong winds.
The damaged trees include Tunika, Dumpena, Tanikkaya, Vishamushti, eucalyptus, Kanuga, Juvvi, neem and soapnut. Many of these species are ecologically and economically important.
Ecological imbalance linked to extreme weather
Dr. Satish said tornado-like conditions form when warm, moisture-rich air rises rapidly because of atmospheric instability. This creates powerful rotating winds that can damage forests, houses and other structures.
He also recalled a similar incident on August 8, 2024, when tornado-like winds damaged nearly 1.5 lakh trees across about 800 acres of the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary near Medaram.
Dr. Satish blamed the growing intensity of such weather events on human activities. He said indiscriminate tree felling, illegal sand mining and the destruction of natural landscapes have disturbed the ecological balance and increased the impact of extreme weather.
KU research team
The study was conducted by Dr. Sutari Satish along with researchers Vanguri Anil Kumar, Pasula Janakiramudu, Dakuri Varsha, Naitham Indu, Kathi Sandeep and Pagadala Sai Kumar.
