Despite carrying out extensive pruning of potentially dangerous trees across Mumbai ahead of the monsoon season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advised residents to avoid standing or parking vehicles beneath trees during heavy rain and strong winds.
The warning follows a series of incidents triggered by intense rainfall that battered the city from Tuesday night onwards. In the last 24 hours alone, Mumbai recorded 113 cases of fallen trees and branches, highlighting the continued risks posed by severe weather conditions.
As part of its annual monsoon preparedness programme, the BMC's Garden Department conducted citywide inspections and scientifically pruned trees identified as vulnerable. The initiative was aimed at reducing the likelihood of tree-fall incidents during the rainy season.
However, civic officials stressed that no preventive measure can completely eliminate the danger posed by extreme weather. Strong winds and heavy downpours can still cause weakened trees to uproot or branches to snap unexpectedly.
To increase public awareness, the civic body has installed advisory boards and informational displays at several locations across Mumbai, including the eastern and western suburbs.
Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi appealed to residents to immediately report trees that appear unsafe in housing societies, residential complexes, or along public roads. Complaints can be lodged with local ward offices or through the BMC's helpline, 1916.
He also urged housing societies and property managers to obtain the necessary permissions and undertake timely pruning of hazardous trees within their premises to minimise the risk of accidents during the monsoon.
BMC data shows that the 113 reported incidents included 40 cases within Mumbai city limits, 23 in the eastern suburbs, and 50 in the western suburbs. Similar tree-fall incidents were reported from areas such as Matunga, Vile Parle, and several other neighbourhoods.
Environmental activist Santosh Gupta criticised the quality of tree maintenance carried out by contractors. He argued that improper pruning techniques can leave trees unbalanced and more susceptible to collapse during strong winds.
"Incorrect trimming often makes trees top-heavy, increasing the chances of them falling during storms," Gupta said.
One of the most notable incidents occurred early Wednesday morning on Breach Candy Road, where a 60-year-old banyan tree collapsed onto a parked vehicle. The accident led to the temporary closure of one traffic lane until municipal workers removed the debris and restored normal traffic movement by around 10.30 am.
According to civic officials, the ageing tree had become structurally weak due to deteriorating roots, and the heavy rainfall likely contributed to its collapse. Fortunately, the vehicle contained only empty gas cylinders, preventing a potentially serious mishap.
Authorities confirmed that a replacement tree will be planted at the site.
In another incident near the Swaminarayan Temple in Dadar East, a large tree fell onto a parked vehicle, causing significant damage to its front section. No injuries were reported, but the fallen tree blocked the road and disrupted traffic for several hours.
Meanwhile, the BMC's Garden Department is preparing to conduct joint inspections of locations where tree-base deconcretisation has not been completed. The inspections will take place in compliance with a recent order from the Bombay High Court and will involve the petitioner and intervenors in the case.
The matter originated from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Rohit Joshi concerning tree-base deconcretisation in Thane. The High Court later expanded its scope to include Mumbai, a city estimated to have around 3.5 million trees.
The upcoming inspections are expected to assess whether inadequate deconcretisation around tree roots is contributing to tree instability and increasing the risk of collapses during the monsoon season.
Share
Tweet
