Mumbai's relentless monsoon claimed another life on Sunday after a 63-year-old man was killed when a tree collapsed on him, according to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The incident occurred at around 12.40 pm in the Naupada area of Kurla West, where Yunus Kundawala suffered critical injuries after being struck by a falling tree.
He was rescued from beneath the debris and taken to Fauzia Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The incident was captured on CCTV, which recorded the moment the tree fell on him.
Following the accident, BMC personnel reached the site and carried out trimming and removal of the fallen tree.
Multiple Tree Fall Incidents Reported
At least four people have lost their lives in Mumbai as heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to lash the city, despite this year's monsoon arriving later than usual.
Persistent rainfall since the beginning of the week has led to several weather-related incidents and widespread disruption across different parts of the city.
In a separate incident in Bandra East, located a few kilometres from Kurla West, another tree was uprooted due to strong winds and heavy rain, damaging several parked vehicles. No injuries were reported.
In another rain-related incident in the same locality, a tree collapsed moments before the security convoy of industrialist Mukesh Ambani was due to pass, briefly disrupting traffic. Police said the situation was brought under control quickly, while BMC teams cleared the fallen tree and restored normal traffic movement.
Four Deaths Linked to Monsoon Hazards
Falling trees have become a recurring hazard during Mumbai's monsoon, with multiple fatalities reported across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in recent days.
Before Kundawala's death, two others had already died in similar incidents. On June 30, an 11-year-old boy was killed after a peepal tree fell onto a school bus in Mumbai. In another incident in Mira-Bhayandar, a man lost his life after a tree suddenly collapsed on him.
Apart from falling trees, open manholes have also emerged as a significant safety concern during the ongoing rains. On July 2, a 55-year-old man died after falling into an uncovered sewer manhole in Sakinaka while walking to work during heavy rainfall.
According to BMC officials, a private civic contractor had removed the manhole cover to carry out drain cleaning and install protective grilles but allegedly failed to secure the site or provide adequate warning, resulting in the fatal accident.
Red Alert Issued for Mumbai
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has continued its red alert for Mumbai, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated areas likely to experience extremely heavy showers.
The weather department has also predicted strong winds with speeds ranging between 55 and 65 kmph across Mumbai and its suburbs, along with continuing heavy rainfall.
In view of the weather warning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has advised residents to remain cautious and venture outdoors only when absolutely necessary.
Several parts of Mumbai have already recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, with some areas receiving as much as 300 mm of rain.
