The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has given heavy rainfall warning for Mumbai and adjoining areas. The city, since the third week of July, is witnessing incessant rainfalls.
Owing to this, another tree collapse incident came to light on July 25. The tree allegedly fell on the new e-AC double decker BEST bus in South Mumbai. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
As per figures recorded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 113 trees collapsed in Mumbai city and suburbs between July 18 to 23. The officials of the tree department are blaming digging activities carried out by the real estate and infrastructure projects for tree collapse.
According to data provided by the civic council, of the 113 trees that fell, 50 were from the western suburbs, 32 were from the eastern suburbs, and 31 were from the city area.
"In addition to the rain, we also recorded gusts that were strong to very heavy and blew at a speed of 50 kmph. Some trees were unable to endure the pressure because their roots could not hold the soil. Tree branches and leaves get heavier during rain because they soak up water," an official from the tree department said.
"Several roads have been dug up in the last year, harming the tree basins. This is one of the contributing factors, and as a result, we have already requested the road department to set up barricades around tree basins wherever excavating is necessary," the official continued.
BMC officials also stated that trees planted on the premises of private societies are the responsibility of society members. But, several societies don’t prune trees annually, which poses a threat to residents.
Environmentalist Rakshita Manglani, speaking with Mumbai Live said, “The main reason for collapsing of 100 trees is digging activities take place for infrastructure development to meet the increasing needs of the growing population in Mumbai. Because of that the natural balance is disturbed and it results in less & heavy rainfall in different parts of Mumbai. And we see the worsening effects of heavy rains in Mumbai every year. This cannot happen in one day, it is the piled-up result of consecutive activities like digging grounds for infrastructure development and many more which will result in soil erosion and more trees will be at the edge of collapsing every time in Mumbai.”
Agreeing with the BMC officials over digging activities being the major reason for tree collapse, Rakshita said, “Yes, everything is a result of increasing human activities. It is a justified reason, and it is responsible for the current status in Mumbai as a lot of digging activities have been done for infrastructure development and real estate work currently.”
When asked about this tree collapse's effect on Mumbai’s AQI she said, “Yes, it will definitely affect the AQI in Mumbai. As we already know a lot of greenery is damaged due to unusual deforestation and digging activities for infrastructure development in the cities. We are losing air quality and biodiversity. As there will be less number of trees, we will have more CO2 gas in the atmosphere resulting in an increasing Green House Effect.”
In the last week of June 2023, 26 incidents of tree fall, 15 incidents of short-circuit, and 5 incidents of collapse or partial collapse of houses were reported. These incidents too every year lead to several deaths.
It is pertinent to note that the BMC has received around 500 complaints of tree-falling this year.
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