Trees are among Mother Nature’s greatest gifts. They clean our air, cool our cities, reduce flooding, provide homes for wildlife, and make our communities healthier and more beautiful. However, like all living things, trees can sometimes fail under certain conditions. Around the world, severe storms and monsoon rains remind us why caring for urban trees is important for both people and nature.

Every year, the monsoon season affects billions of people across South and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of southern China. These seasonal rains are essential for agriculture, freshwater supplies, and ecosystems. At the same time, they can bring intense rainfall, powerful winds, flooding, and saturated soils that place tremendous stress on trees.

A recent incident in Chembur, Mumbai, where a large peepal tree fell during heavy monsoon rain, tragically resulting in the loss of a young life, reminds us of the importance of understanding tree health. While such events are uncommon, they highlight the need to care for trees throughout their lifetime so they can continue to benefit communities safely.

Yellow Ambassador taxi splashing through a flooded street in Kolkata during monsoon rain.

Why do trees fall during the monsoon?

Trees rarely fall because of a single cause. Instead, several conditions often develop over many years before a tree eventually fails.

Heavy rain can saturate the soil, making it softer and reducing its ability to firmly hold tree roots. At the same time, strong winds place additional pressure on trunks and branches. Together, these natural forces can challenge even large, mature trees.

Healthy trees with well-developed root systems usually withstand these conditions very well. However, trees may become more vulnerable if they have internal decay that is hidden from view, are naturally aging, have restricted root growth in densely built urban areas, or have experienced changes to the surrounding soil over time.

Damage to roots from nearby activities or repeated exposure to increasingly severe weather can also reduce a tree’s stability. Often, it is a combination of several factors, not a single event, that leads to a tree falling.

Tall coconut and palm trees swaying under dark Monsoon clouds in Howrah, India

Caring for trees before problems occur

The encouraging news is that many tree failures can be prevented through regular monitoring and thoughtful urban planning.

Professional tree inspections before storm or monsoon seasons can help identify hidden weaknesses, such as internal decay, damaged roots, or structural problems. Arborists may use specialized equipment to assess tree health without harming the tree, allowing potential risks to be addressed early.

Trees also need healthy growing conditions. Providing enough open soil around their bases allows roots to spread, absorb water, and anchor the tree securely. Careful pruning by trained professionals helps maintain a balanced canopy that can better withstand strong winds. When construction or maintenance work takes place near trees, protecting their root systems can help preserve their long-term stability.

Of course, we as communities also have an important role to play. When noticing a tree leaning unusually, large dead branches, cracks in the trunk, or exposed roots, reporting these observations to local authorities or tree care professionals allows the tree to be assessed before problems become more serious.

Healthy trees make resilient communities

Although incidents involving falling trees receive significant attention, they are rare compared with the countless benefits that trees provide every day. Urban trees reduce heat, improve air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, reduce stormwater runoff, support wildlife, and create healthier places for us to live.

As climate change contributes to more frequent extreme weather events in many parts of the world, investing in urban tree care is becoming increasingly important. Regular inspections, thoughtful planting, healthy soils, and long-term maintenance help trees become more resilient to storms while also improving public safety.

The recent events in Chembur serve as a reminder that healthy urban forests require ongoing care throughout a tree’s lifetime. Whether in Mumbai, Bangkok, Dhaka, Colombo, Hanoi, or any other city affected by seasonal storms, protecting trees and protecting people go hand in hand.

By combining scientific knowledge, thoughtful planning, regular tree care, and community awareness, we can build greener, safer, and more resilient communities for generations to come.

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References:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-more-chemburs-how-can-indian-cities-ensure-their-trees-do-not-turn-against-their-people/article71220025.ece
https://www.fao.org/forestry-fao/urbanforestry/en/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/chembur-tree-fall-death-panel-gives-clean-chit-to-bmc-depts-proposes-rs-7l-fine-on-drain-work-contractor-consultant/articleshow/132374769.cms
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/isa/bmp_tree_risk_assessment/index.php?startid=i#/p/Cover1
https://wmo.int/

Image sources:
Title Image 
Yellow Taxi in Rain
Coconut Trees