SANGUEM
A huge roadside tree fell across the main road leading from Uguem towards Netravali near Uguem Chapel following a brief spell of strong winds, bringing traffic on the busy road to a standstill for nearly an hour.
The sudden winds, which lasted only for a short duration, caused the tree to collapse across the roadway and also damaged five electricity poles in the vicinity, disrupting power supply in the area.
Fortunately, no vehicles were passing through the stretch at the time of the incident. The road otherwise witnesses considerable traffic throughout the day.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel subsequently cleared the obstruction, using a JCB machine to cut and remove the fallen tree from the road. Electricity Department personnel simultaneously worked to restore power supply to the affected area.
Speaking after the incident, local resident Anthony Colaco urged authorities to conduct a survey of old and potentially dangerous trees standing along the main road in the area.
Colaco claimed that while some trees which were in good condition had been cut by the authorities about a year ago, several old trees continue to stand dangerously close to the road.
He appealed to authorities to identify and remove trees that are old, unstable or dangerously leaning towards the road as a precautionary measure, particularly in view of the risk they pose to motorists and pedestrians during sudden spells of strong winds.
