Uprooted banyan tree damages school

PHUKET: Strong winds uprooted a banyan tree, causing it to fall on a wall of Plukpanya School early yesterday morning.

No one was hurt in the incident.

The banyan tree was quickly removed after Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana and municipality officials rushed to the school.

“The was growing in Pavilions Phuket Hotel’s compound, which is next door to the school,” said Ms Somjai.

“It took about 30 minutes to remove it from the destroyed wall.”

Ms Somjai warned people to beware of strong winds uprooting trees as people could get hurt, aside from the likelihood of greater traffic congestion.

“If you see an uprooted tree, please call the nearest municipality. We will send officials to remove it immediately. Such cleanups take a maximum of one day to complete,” Ms Somjai added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong