Tree fall, wall collapse kill three as heavy rain lashes Delhi, more showers likely today

The death due to tree falling took place around 9.50 am. “An old roadside Neem tree suddenly fell in front of the HDFC Bank near Paras Chowk. As a result, two people on a motorcycle were trapped beneath the fallen tree,” said a police officer.

Work underway to remove an uprooted tree which fell on a motorcycle amid rainfall, in southeast Delhi’s Kalkaji area, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. A 50-year-old man and his daughter were critically injured in the incident, according to officials. (PTI Photo)

The impact left Sudhir Kumar and his 22-year-old daughter Priya critically injured, and they were rushed to Safdarjung Trauma Centre. Sudhir died during treatment.

Several vehicles parked in the vicinity were also damaged in the incident. A hydraulic crane was deployed to remove the tree and clear the road, police said.

CCTV camera footage of the incident showed the tree gradually getting uprooted as the rain intensified. Minutes before the incident, multiple two-wheelers could be seen passing through the narrow gap between the tree and a line of vehicles stuck in traffic. A delivery boy and pedestrian dragging a cycle passed by the area seconds before the tree fell.

At 9:50:58, as the tree falls on Sudhir and Priya’s bike, Priya could be seen trying to wrap her hands around the tree. Sudhir’s upper body was hidden below the massive trunk.

Meanwhile, at Basant Nagar, the two boys died when the wall collapsed at 4.44 pm. “The children were sitting on stairs located alongside the wall. The wall belongs to the Delhi Development Authority and is suspected to have weakened due to prolonged rain and waterlogging in the area,” DCP (South West) Amit Goel said.

Following Sudhir’s death, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed officials to urgently identify trees that may pose a risk to public safety. According to a statement issued by the CMO, Gupta has directed that such dangerous trees be pruned, removed, or transplanted as per rules, with priority given to areas witnessing high pedestrian or vehicular movement.

Emphasising that during monsoon, strong winds and heavy rainfall significantly increase the risk of large, unsafe, or decaying trees causing accidents and damaging power lines, Gupta said, “Proper maintenance and timely intervention will not only prevent accidents but also ensure smooth traffic movement and protect essential services.”