Falling tree damages house, injures two-wheeler rider near Valluvarkottam

House damaged by uprooted tree near Valluvar Kottam prompts social media outcry for government intervention and compensation.

A house opposite Valluvarkottam was damaged on Friday after a huge tree that was uprooted at the landmark, where renovation works are under way, fell inside its premises. A two-wheeler rider was injured in the incident.

Residents complained about the incident on social media after officials of various civic agencies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Public Works Department (PWD), reportedly refused to help them in getting the tree removed from the house. They demanded that the State government repair the damage to the building and compensate them. They also wanted it to improve coordination between civic agencies during such events and ensure the safety of residents near sites where such work was under way.

Usha Krishnan, a resident of Nungambakkam, whose house was damaged in the accident said they tried calling GCC officials to remove the tree. The officials told them that the tree was on PWD land and refused to help. The residents had gathered on the streets at 7.30 p.m. on Friday in protest and dispersed around 2.30 a.m. on Saturday.

On X (formerly twitter), Ms. Krishnan wrote: “Extremely stressful evening and night. Tree from Valluvarkottam fell on our house and broke many parts of the wall and the car shed. We are yet to ascertain what is the damage and financial outlay for repairs. No one from @chennaicorp has reached out.”

“Tree-cutting contractors from Valluvarkottam were removing the wreckage without any official supervision. We need to be compensated accordingly. The damage to the property is estimated at ₹1 lakh. The jolly work above the compound wall, car shed, and garden were damaged. The incident happened when two senior citizens were alone at home. We are disappointed that the authorities are not reaching out to us,” Ms. Krishnan said.

“On my way home from work, I was crossing Valluvarkottam around 7.30 p.m. on Friday when the trunk of the tree missed my head by a hair. The tree’s fall also caused a nearby transformer to burst. My two-wheeler was damaged. Hearing the noise from the transformer bursting, residents gathered on the road,” said S. Dhinakar, an information technology professional who was crossing the stretch when the incident occurred.

Officials from Valluvarkottam said they would restore the house and repair the two-wheeler damaged in the accident.