A huge mango tree collapsed near the North Goa Collectorate in Panaji and in the process damaged over a dozen parked two-wheelers on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall in Ponda triggered multiple tree collapse incidents. Several tree-falling incidents reported across the Bardez coastal belt kept fire-fighters on their toes. It must be said that trees in the state are falling like ninepins. In the years gone by Goa used to witness heavy showers but never has one heard of trees uprooting at such a disturbing frequency as is the case now. A tree's roots are its anchors. So when the wind blows, those roots hold the tree upright. But when the soil becomes supersaturated with water it loses its strength and the roots slip through the soil. Tree roots need oxygen to function properly. When the soil becomes supersaturated, water replaces the oxygen in the soil. This puts stress on the tree. When pavers are put on the pavement in a tree's critical root zone, the compacted soil can over time smother the tree roots. Due to unregulated construction activities, the root system of the trees could be struggling for survival.
