KSCSTE will investigate the recent phenomenon in Kerala’s coastal belt that left in its wake a trail of scorched vegetation

The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has initiated steps to investigate the ‘scorching wind’ phenomenon that lashed parts of the coastal belt in the State over the last few days, even as scientists have come up with divergent theories to explain the occurrence.

Suresh Das, KSCSTE Executive Vice President, said on Friday that directives had been issued to the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi, and the Centre for Water Resource Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, to collect soil and vegetation samples and collect information from the people in the affected areas. The unusual phenomenon had left a trail of scorched vegetation in its wake, sparking concern among the local population. Dr. Das said the samples would be analysed before drawing a conclusion about what caused the scorching wind.

Meanwhile, there have been different inferences on the phenomenon. While one section feels that the searing vegetation could have been caused by a localised heat wave, others have come round to the possibility of acid rain or continuous exposure to the spray of seawater. The scorching wind has been reported from the coastal belt in Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Alappuzha, sending people into a frenzy.

Another section of earth scientists believes that a thorough investigation of the complex processes at play at the tri-junction of land, sea, and air would be needed to identify the cause of the phenomenon. The State Disaster Management Authority is deploying an expert team to the affected areas to investigate the phenomenon.

Image: Banana crops affected by the heat burst phenomenon that hit the Panamood area of Kollam city on Friday.

Link:  http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/question-mark-over-cause/article7359742.ece