# Ajayan

Kochi |The recent series of whirlwinds that have ravaged Kerala have left both climatologists and common folk utterly astonished. These fierce, transient winds, though brief in their fury, have unleashed a torrent of destruction—tearing off rooftops, uprooting majestic trees and laying lush plantations to waste. To compound the misery, this unsettling phenomenon, initially confined to Thrissur district, has ominously spread to other regions, signaling a peril that now shadows the entire State.

On Monday, the tempestuous winds swept through several parts of Thrissur, shattering glass panes in numerous establishments. This wave of devastation did not confine itself to Thrissur alone; the districts of Palakkad and Malappuram also bore witness to its destructive force, leaving a harrowing trail of disaster in its wake.

Typically, the dense cloud formations seen during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon summer seasons bring forth thunder and fierce gusts of wind. However, during the monsoon now there is a new trend of these clouds exhibiting a different behaviour—they spread expansively and rise to impressive heights. Scientists observe that the air descending from these towering clouds presses downward without favoring any particular direction, resulting in this unique meteorological phenomenon.

This phenomenon is an outward burst of powerful winds at or near the surface, spanning horizontal dimensions around 4 km. It occurs when a robust downdraft reaches the ground, akin to water gushing from a faucet and striking the bottom of a sink. The downdraft mirrors the column of water, while the outward spray at the sink's base represents the macroburst. These winds, initially starting over a smaller area, can rapidly spread out, sometimes causing damage comparable to that of a tornado. Interestingly, they can occur even with showers too weak to generate thunder, as scientists contend.

Scientists argue that forecasting this elusive phenomenon is an expensive endeavour, requiring sophisticated equipment for highly localized data collection. The IMD contends that the wind magnitude was too minuscule to be detected by radar. However, atmospheric scientists at the Cochin University of Science and Technology had remarkably foreseen such an event several days in advance, showcasing their profound understanding of the intricate dance of nature's forces. Local and traditional knowledge too has a role in such predictions.

They acknowledge the necessity for localized studies of wind patterns, as this data will greatly aid in predicting such events well in advance. Given that this phenomenon has become a regular occurrence, it is imperative to conduct these studies to minimize the damage inflicted on lives.