Mumbai Saw 2 Tree Falls Every Hour In Past 14 Days: The Root Of The Problem In 4 Points

Last Updated:July 07, 2026, 17:00 IST

Mumbai rains: Three people have been killed due to tree-collapse incidents over the span of less than a week during the heavy monsoon downpour\

As Mumbai gets battered by rain, the city lost 826 trees in 14 days between June 22 and July 5, 2026. This averages to roughly 59 trees uprooted every single day, or more than two every hour, the Times of India reported.

News18 gets to the root of the problem.

MUMBAI MONSOON: IN NUMBERS

826 total tree collapses occurred in the first fortnight of active rains.

305 trees fell on public/civic lands, while 521 collapsed on private properties.

1,223 tree branches crashed across various locations, adding to the structural chaos.

3 tragic fatalities have been officially linked to these tree and branch collapses over the brief period.

MUMBAI TREE FALL: CASUALTIES AND DEATHS

Three people have been killed in Mumbai due to tree-collapse incidents over the span of less than a week during the heavy monsoon downpour.

Yunus Kundawala (63): Killed in Kurla West after a large tree collapsed onto a roadside electronics shop where he was standing.

Kamar Hasan Raza Jahangir Alam Syed (18): Killed in Aarey Colony, Goregaon East when a massive tree branch snapped and fell directly onto his head while he was riding a motorcycle with friends.

Mumbai Tree Collapse Kills 11-Year-Old: Is Victim’s Family Entitled To Compensation?

Vihaan Shrivastava (11): Killed in Chembur when an uprooted, 70-year-old peepal tree crashed down on a moving school bus, which also left several other children injured.

Goregaon (MG Road): Two women were trapped and suffered injuries when a large tree crashed outside a chemist shop. They were pulled out by local residents.

Following intense public outcry and scrutiny regarding poor tree pruning, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde announced a ₹5 lakh compensation for the victims’ families. Additionally, the civic body has ordered an inquiry into the maintenance failures and mandated an immediate citywide tree audit to clear highly vulnerable or improperly pruned trees amidst a continuous Red Alert.

WHY ARE MUMBAI’S TREES UPROOTING SO FAST?

While extreme weather is the immediate trigger, environmentalists, civic experts and news reports point to deeper urban infrastructure issues:

• Root Damaged by Construction: Ongoing excavation for road works and underground utilities frequently severs or weakens structural roots.
• Rampant Road Concretisation: Laying concrete tight against tree trunks suffocates root networks and prevents proper water absorption, leaving mature trees unstable.
• Extreme Wind Gusts: Recent monsoon winds clocked over 70–75 kmph, acting like sails on heavy, rain-saturated tree canopies.
• Inadequate Pruning: Critical delays or poorly managed pre-monsoon tree trimming have left top-heavy branches highly vulnerable to snapping.

Civic Response and Precautionary Warnings

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has faced severe scrutiny regarding its pre-monsoon tree audits and safety measures. In response to continuous heavy rain alerts and the uprooting crisis, the civic body has temporarily shut down all public parks and gardens to prevent further casualties. Citizens are strongly advised to avoid parking or standing under large, mature trees during heavy spells.

KEY FAQs

How many tree falls has Mumbai recorded recently?

Mumbai recorded around two tree falls every hour over the past 14 days, with heavy rainfall and gusty winds contributing to hundreds of incidents across the city.

Why are so many trees falling in Mumbai?

Experts point to a combination of heavy monsoon rains, strong winds, weakened root systems due to construction and concretisation, poor pruning practices, and ageing or diseased trees as the main reasons.

What is being done to prevent tree falls?

The civic authorities have stepped up tree inspections, pruning of hazardous branches, removal of dead or unstable trees, and emergency response teams. Experts also stress the need for better soil protection around trees, regular health audits, and scientific urban planning to reduce future incidents.

With agency inputs

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

News explainers Mumbai Saw 2 Tree Falls Every Hour In Past 14 Days: The Root Of The Problem In 4 Points

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