Mon May 05 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru’s Monsoon Preparedness Questioned After Two Tree-Fall Deaths

**Bengaluru, Karnataka, May 3, 2025** – Two deaths caused by falling trees in Bengaluru within two months have raised serious concerns about the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) readiness for the upcoming monsoon season. The incidents, along with recurring urban flooding during recent pre-monsoon showers, have prompted citizens and activists to question the city’s preparedness.

A 45-year-old autorickshaw driver was killed on Thursday when a tree fell on his vehicle, following the March death of a three-year-old girl in a similar incident. BBMP data reveals that 93 trees and 133 large branches fell during three recent rain spells. Flooding has also been widespread, affecting even the central business district.

While BBMP Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao stated that response teams are reactivated, control rooms operational, and flood mitigation plans underway, citizens remain unconvinced. Residents report persistent flooding in several areas despite repeated complaints and unresolved issues with stormwater drains. Incomplete stormwater drain work from 2022 and a lack of silt removal were also cited as major concerns.

Disaster management expert Raghu B.V. highlighted the need for the BBMP to establish a dedicated disaster management cell, as mandated by recent amendments to the Disaster Management Act. He urged proactive measures such as tree pruning and the public release of relevant data. The incidents underscore the need for the BBMP to implement comprehensive measures to mitigate the risks posed by both tree-falls and flooding during the monsoon season.

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