As heavy rains lashed the national capital on Thursday, a Neem tree uprooted and fell on a father-daughter duo riding a bike, and a car in South East Delhi's Kalkaji. The father later succumbed to injuries during treatment.
Videos of the incident surfaced on social media, one showing a man exclaiming, “Look, the neem tree in front has fallen. And see, the car is crushed. Look, the person on the bike has been crushed to death.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Hemant Tiwari confirmed the death and said Sudhir Kumar, aged 50, passed away during treatment. He also informed that the 22-year-old daughter, Priya, suffered a fracture in the right pelvic region. "She is stable and recovering," he added.
According to the DCP, an old roadside Neem tree suddenly fell in front of HDFC Bank near Kalkaji's Paras Chowk at around 9:50 am, which led to Kumar and his daughter being trapped underneath the fallen tree.
{{/usCountry}}According to the DCP, an old roadside Neem tree suddenly fell in front of HDFC Bank near Kalkaji's Paras Chowk at around 9:50 am, which led to Kumar and his daughter being trapped underneath the fallen tree.
{{/usCountry}}Upon receiving information about the incident, local police rushed to the spot and rescue operations were initiated by the IO/SHO of Kalkaji, with support from the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kalkaji) and the Traffic inspector.
A JCB was arranged to assist the rescue efforts, following which both the injured individuals were shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.
An i10 car parked in the vicinity also sustained some damage because of the fallen tree. However, no one was injured, the DCP had said.
Roads in the area were submerged, and crowds gathered as people struggled to rescue one of those trapped under the fallen tree.
Former Delhi chief minister and AAP MLA Atishi blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party government for the rain-related death of a motorbike rider on Hansraj Sethi Marg, questioning the government’s preparedness for the heavy downpour.
“A young man died today due to a tree falling on Hansraj Sethi Marg during the rain. A girl is fighting for her life. Due to the failure of the BJP in this rainy season, many Delhiites have lost their lives. Who will take responsibility for this? Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ji should immediately sack PWD Minister Pravesh Verma ji from her cabinet,” Atishi wrote on X.
She also shared a letter addressed to Rekha Gupta, stating that the recent incident is not isolated. “It is shameful that since your government took over, many lives have been lost in the national capital due to rains,” the letter read.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Delhi, warning of more rain throughout the day.
In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Thursday, Safdarjung, the city’s main weather station, recorded 13.1 mm of rainfall, while Aya Nagar saw 57.4 mm, Palam 49.4 mm, Lodhi Road 12 mm, Pragati Maidan 9 mm, and Pusa 5 mm, according to the IMD.
The downpour lowered the minimum temperature in the city to 23.6 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees Celsius below normal, while the maximum is expected to reach around 32 degrees Celsius.