Hyderabad: In the height of summer, the GHMC has received 806 rain-related complaints so far this month via its Directorate of Enforcement Vigilance & Disaster Management (EV&DM). Of these, 625 were related to fallen tree branches or uprooted trees, while the rest concerned waterlogging and nala issues.
In just one week of unseasonal rains, the GHMC received over 150 complaints about uprooted trees and fallen branches, indicating the depth of the problem. In 18 hours from 10 pm on May 22 to 4 pm on May 23, the (EV&DM) received 17 related to fallen tree branches or uprooted trees.
One person was killed by a falling tree on the Cantonment Hospital premises.
Experts said that incidents of tree falls and branches breaking off can be avoided by scientific pruning and the construction of wider footpaths. They said that trees located on pavements and road corners were more vulnerable, compared to those in open spaces.
"In urban areas, space constraints and debris-filled soil under the roads hamper the growth of the tree roots, making them weaker than those in open spaces. Wider footpaths could be a solution," stated V. Krishna, forest utilisation officer of the forest department.
An official from the forest department said the TS Southern Power Distribution Company (TSSPDCL) personnel exacerbated the issue through unscientific pruning of branches with their focus on protecting electrical wires. "The crown area of a tree should match the area that its roots cover in the soil. This man-made error needs correction," the official said.
A survey of busy city areas revealed numerous trees that had completely bent towards the roadside, as their branches on the other side were hacked off to protect power cables. While it is a general sight, areas, where this is specially seen, include the bylane connecting Road No. 1, Jubilee Hills to Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Banjara Hills Road No. 12, and Barkatpura.
Dr Narasimha Reddy Donthi, an expert on environment and development issues, explained that restricted root growth due to various urban factors led to the trees toppling over. "It is just like tightly catching the legs of a person, causing him to fall," he elaborated.
