WIND DAMAGE TO TREES IN THE GITAM UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AT VISAKHAPATNAM BY CYCLONE HUDHUD

Mohan Kotamrazu

Abstract: Over the past thirty three years Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (Gitam University) has evolved into a world class university. The introduction of many exotic and indigenous species of trees and shrubs has transformed the campus into a green oasis. Cyclone Hudhud with wind speeds gusting from 175 to 200 kmph caused massive destruction to the green cover of the campus. Many trees were either uprooted or were severely damaged. A visual assessment of the damage incurred by the trees in the Gitam University campus has been carried out by the author to understand the different ways in which trees respond to cyclonic winds. The results of the study would help in minimizing the damage to trees from future storms.

Keywords: Defoliation, salt spray damage, uprooting, bark inclusion.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0328011