Tree falls in Kandivali society as strong winds sweep Mumbai
While no one was injured, at least three cars parked inside the premises of Raj Tower in Lokhandwala Complex were damaged in the tree fall (Picture Courtesy: Dr. Ajay Yadav)
A tree fell inside a housing society in Kandivali on Wednesday afternoon due to strong winds, which have been sweeping through the city as cyclone Vayu passes through the western coast.
The tree, located inside the premises of Raj Tower in Lokhandwala Complex at Kandivali (East), fell around 1:15 pm today. At least three cars – a Maruti Swift and two Toyota Innovas – parked inside the compound were damaged after the tree fell on them.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the mishap.
“No one was injured. Only the cars were damaged,” Dr. Ajay Yadav, a resident of Raj Tower, told Local Press Co.
According to rules, all housing societies are responsible for maintaining trees inside their compound. However, they need to get permission from the BMC before cutting or trimming any tree.
Last year, the BMC had even filed a police complaint against a housing society in Andheri (West) for failing to trim a tree, which eventually fell and led to the death of a 50-year-old.
As of publishing this report, it is not known if the society had deemed the tree risky and sought any permission from the civic body.
There are close to 30 lakh trees in Mumbai, of which half are located inside private premises. Ahead of monsoon, the civic body has trimmed hundreds of trees as part of their preparedness drive.
It has also put close to 10,000 posters, which read “Tree may fall. Be Aware”, on trees that could potentially fall due to strong winds, a move that has garnered its fair share of criticism from citizens and activists.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged Mumbaikars to brace for strong winds, avoid parking under old/weak trees and stay clear of the shore-line as Cyclone Vayu makes landfall in Gujarat.
