Impact of Gaja cyclone on tree damage in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The cyclone Gaja causes extensive damage in tree mortality and vegetation on the Nagapattinam especially on vedaranyam in 2018. The heavy wind with high rainfall causes damaging, broken and uprooting of the trees. We selected the area for observation as Ayakkaranpula-II that is affected highly on the Vedaranyam city. Many species were identified that damaged due to the Gaja cyclone. A total of 1120 trees, accounting for 16.54% of the total, were uprooted during the Gaja cyclone in the Ayakkaranpula-II region. Moreover, more than 20,000 trees in the area sustained damage as a result of the cyclone. These findings were derived through a combination of field measurements, satellite imagery, and GIS software mapping. The selected tree species for observations are Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Tamarind, Arecaceae, Casuarina equisetifolia. The probability of beaking and uprooting of trees is equal in same species. Wood density provides similar relationship to the broken trees. The uprooting of the trees is greater in Tamarind and Cocos nucifera. The damage and broken of the trees is greater in Mangifera indica and Casuarina equisetifolia. Arecaceae provide better resisitance to the cyclone of Gaja.