PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
A large oak tree collapsed in Mussoorie near the Tehri bus stand early on Wednesday. A parked car and a scooter were crushed under it but no injuries were reported. The tree fell shortly before a group of school children passed through the area, narrowly avoiding a more serious incident.
The police, Fire services and forest officials responded and used machines to remove the tree from the road. The officials said that the tree had weakened due to continuous rainfall and wind. They are now inspecting other trees in the surrounding areas to identify and remove those that may pose similar risks. It appears that rainfall in Dehradun district is weakening tree roots and causing frequent tree falls in both urban and hilly areas. Waterlogged ground and strong winds have led to several incidents where large, old trees have collapsed, disrupting traffic and posing safety risks.
A century-old tree fell inside the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple complex after days of persistent rain and strong winds late on Tuesday. The tree crashed down on part of the temple premises, damaging a shop and the police post located within the complex. One person got minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police and Fire services teams reached the site and cleared the tree from the road. Local shopkeepers pointed out that the incident could have been far more serious if it had occurred on a Monday, when the temple sees a large crowd of devotees.
