Massive Tree Falls Over Moving Vehicles in Wakdewadi on Pune-Mumbai Highway
Pune, July 05, 2026: A massive tree fall in Pune’s Wakdewadi on Sunday evening turned a routine monsoon downpour into an emergency rescue operation, narrowly avoiding what officials say could have been a major tragedy.
The incident occurred near the Hatchery Centre, near the Range Hill turning on the busy Pune-Mumbai Highway following hours of continuous, heavy rainfall.
Unlike initial reports of parked vehicles being hit, eyewitnesses confirmed the large tree crashed directly onto several moving four-wheelers and a three-wheeler (auto-rickshaw) that had passengers onboard. The impact trapped the occupants inside their vehicles, sparking panic on the flooded highway.
Local residents and commuters rushed to assist until fire brigade personnel and city emergency teams arrived at the scene. Rescuers worked quickly to cut through the branches and safely pull the trapped passengers from the mangled vehicles.
Miraculously, authorities confirm that nobody sustained major injuries, though several passengers were treated for shock.
“It was a life-threatening situation,” said one local resident who witnessed the crash. “If the branches had hit just a few inches to the side, we would be talking about a completely different outcome tonight.”
The collapse completely paralyzed traffic heading toward Mumbai. Fire crews spent hours clearing the massive trunk and debris from the lanes to restore normal movement.
With heavy downpours predicted to continue across Pune over the next 48 hours, municipal authorities are warning citizens to stay alert to the dangers of sudden flooding, stormy winds, and weakened trees.
Emergency Helplines
If you encounter flooding, fallen trees, or structural damage, do not panic. Keep these numbers handy:
- Police: 100
- Fire Brigade: 101
- Ambulance: 108
- PMC Emergency Control Room: 020-25506800 / 020-25501269
Authorities are advising residents to exercise extreme caution against flooding, falling trees and rockfalls.
