Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 23 Aug: Amidst continuous rainfall in Mussoorie, a dry tree suddenly snapped and crashed onto the roof of a hotel on Mall Road late Saturday night. The impact caused severe damage to the roof of Hotel Surya Kiran, while a car parked below and other belongings were also struck.
Fortunately, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. At that time, there was minimal movement of tourists and locals on Mall Road; otherwise, a major tragedy could have occurred. It is reported that the dry tree broke during the rain and, after colliding with the old iron railing along Mall Road, fell onto the roof of Hotel Surya Kiran. The railing partially altered the tree’s trajectory, preventing it from crashing directly onto the main section of the hotel. The hotel management stated that had the railing not been there, the hotel building could have sustained even greater damage.
Several tourists were staying at the hotel at the time of the incident.
Hotel owner Ajay Bhargava said that the sound of the falling tree caused panic late at night. The fall completely damaged the hotel roof and also harmed a parked car and other property. He remarked that had the tree fallen directly onto the guest rooms or the main structure of the building, the risk of loss of life could not have been ruled out.
According to locals, old and dry trees pose a constant threat in many parts of Mussoorie, including the Mall Road. The roots of many trees have dried up, increasing the risk of them toppling during rains and strong winds. Residents allege that while the Forest Department and the Municipality are regularly informed about such trees, the process of removing these hazardous trees fails to move forward. Locals point out that Mall Road sees the highest volume of tourist footfall; consequently, the collapse of a weak or dry tree here could prove fatal. Incidents of trees falling on Mall Road and in surrounding areas have occurred previously, yet no permanent solution regarding the dilapidated trees has been implemented.
According to the municipal administration, the root systems of several dead trees on Mall Road have weakened, making their removal essential. The municipality has sought permission from the Forest Department to remove these trees, but action has been stalled as approval is still pending. The municipality noted that tree lopping had recently been carried out in the Mall Road area. The incident where a tree fell onto a hotel on Mall Road has once again raised questions regarding the accountability of the municipality and the Forest Department. Locals argue that instead of waiting for a major tragedy to occur, the administration should conduct a survey of all dead and hazardous trees on Mall Road and in other tourist areas. Trees posing a threat to life and property should be removed immediately in accordance with regulations.
Hotel owner Ajay Bhargava has also urged the administration and the Forest Department to identify and remove dilapidated and dangerous trees—not just on Mall Road but in other vulnerable areas of Mussoorie as well—to prevent major accidents in the future.
