As Skies Grow Bumpier, Scientists Turn to Birds for Clues on Turbulence

Srinagar : The skies above us are getting rougher. Once considered little more than an in-flight nuisance, turbulence is fast becoming a serious aviation challenge as the planet warms — and some scientists believe the key to understanding it may lie with the world’s best fliers: birds.

Turbulence — the irregular, invisible movement of air caused by eddies and vertical currents — can turn a smooth flight into a stomach-lurching experience. Most of the time, it’s harmless. But in extreme cases, it can cause injuries, damage aircraft, and even prove fatal.

That danger became tragically clear when a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence earlier this year, leaving one passenger dead and more than 30 injured.

“It’s a reminder of how unpredictable the skies can b