News Update S'pore 240 mishaps last month
Over the years, he said the NParks has effectively reduced the number of fallen trees by close to 70 per cent - from about 3,100 cases in 2000 to about 1,000 last year. -- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
THERE were 240 incidents involving trees or branches which fell last month, largely due to bad weather.
The figure is more than double that of the 90 incidents during the same month last year.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan gave the figures in a written reply on Monday to Mr Baey Yam Keng, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, adding that 'forces of nature' such as the weather were beyond the control of the National Parks Board (NParks).
Mr Baey had asked how the ministry planned to minimise future disruptions after a spate of incidents.
In his reply, Mr Mah said: 'Wind forces and sodden soil due to heavy rain... can weaken the stability of trees... and cause them to be uprooted.'
He added that NParks is reviewing its tree management programme and is exploring new technology to better assess the condition of trees.
