Deadly Winds Turn Trees and Billboards into Weapons of Destruction

The recent spate of inclement weather, marked by sudden windstorms and heavy rainfall, has turned trees, branches, and billboards into lethal hazards on Sri Lanka’s roads. With alarming frequency, massive trees are being uprooted, branches are falling unpredictably, and unsecured billboards are crashing down, endangering lives and property. Residents have reported electricity outages and traffic disruptions, with vehicles and homes bearing the brunt of nature’s fury.

The impact on daily life is significant: pedestrians risk injury from falling branches, motorists navigate dangerous roads strewn with debris, and entire neighbourhoods are plunged into darkness due to trees damaging power lines. Public safety is being compromised, and urgent intervention is required before lives are lost.

It is time for key institutions — including the Road Development Authority (RDA), Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) — to form a coordinated task force. Practical solutions such as regular pruning of trees, routine risk assessments, reinforcement or removal of unstable billboards/signages, and the gradual shift to underground power lines must be prioritised.

As climate patterns grow more erratic, Sri Lanka must be prepared — not reactive — to safeguard its people, infrastructure, and environment from the growing wrath of the elements.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo