BBMP Urges Public to Avoid Trees During Storms After Auto Driver Killed
Following the tragic death of a 40-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, Mahesh, who was crushed by a falling tree near Katriguppe, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a public advisory asking citizens not to stand or park under trees during storms or heavy rainfall.
Mahesh’s death has brought renewed focus on tree safety across Bengaluru. According to BBMP’s report, the storm that swept through various parts of the city led to the uprooting of 23 trees and the snapping of 52 large branches across multiple zones. The civic body’s Forest Department, along with zonal teams, has been working to clear debris and restore affected areas. Senior BBMP officials, including the Special Commissioner (FECCM), Zonal Commissioners, and officials from the Forest Department, visited the incident site for an on-ground assessment. While BBMP has not outlined any new structural measures to address the issue of weak or ageing trees, the Deputy Conservator of Forests has issued a general advisory urging caution during weather disturbances.
Civic activists, however, have raised concerns over the reactive nature of the advisory. Many have called for regular tree audits and preventive trimming of vulnerable trees as a more effective strategy to prevent such incidents. “Just telling people not to stand under trees is not a solution. We need systematic pruning and maintenance,” said a resident and long-time civic volunteer in South Bengaluru. Bengaluru, known for its rich tree cover, often faces challenges during monsoon and pre-monsoon storms, with large trees posing risks in dense residential and commercial areas. Despite growing calls for proactive forest management, the civic body has largely relied on public caution advisories after such events. BBMP maintains that with unpredictable weather patterns, public awareness is crucial. “This advisory is a precautionary step to prevent further loss of life,” said an official from the BBMP Forest Department.
The advisory urges residents to avoid seeking shelter under trees or parking vehicles beneath them during rainstorms, especially in high-risk areas prone to tree falls.
