Hà Nội to protect and restore trees after typhoon Yagi

Soldiers tidy up fallen trees on Hàn Thuyên Street in Hai Bà Trưng District, Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI — Falling trees during storms with heavy rains and strong winds have become a frequent and controversial issue over the past several years in Hà Nội. Hurricane-level storms like the recent Typhoon Yagi have caused very serious damage, with trees falling on many streets in Hà Nội's inner city.

Preliminary statistics from the municipal Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention show that more than 10,000 trees fell along many streets in the capital city during the typhoon.

Many residents express sadness seeing ancient trees like black star, dracontomelon and rosewood trees -- some of which are hundreds of years old -- uprooted.

Arborists and citizens alike are looking to find an effective solution to protect trees at risk or restore and preserve ones that have fallen.

If possible, this would protect the unique heritage of the capital city.

Falling trees are an issue that municipal leaders and the Hà Nội Department of Construction have been concerned about for many years.

During an inspection on Sunday, Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh said that for the city's ancient trees, efforts should be made to preserve and replant them.

He asked deputy chairmen to look into protecting and restoring the trees, avoiding hasty actions that could cause damage and make repairs difficult.

Nguyễn Quang Trung, Chairman of the Hai Bà Trưng District People's Committee, said that hundreds of trees in the district have fallen. The district called for maximum forces and residents to help.

As many as 3,199 people in the district are working at full capacity to overcome problems caused by the typhoon as quickly as possible.

Many trees fell in Dương Văn Bé Street in Vĩnh Tuy Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, which was also flooded. A great number of people worked overnight to clear sewers and clean up the streets to restore the flow of traffic quickly.

On Sunday morning, Hoàn Kiếm District also asked nearly 2,500 people from the police and military command to prune and remove fallen trees.

Regarding the large number of fallen trees, Director of the Hà Nội Department of Construction Võ Nguyên Phong said that this was an issue that the department has been very concerned about for many years -- and especially after Typhoon Yagi.

The department is urgently directing a specialised division to prepare a plan to restore the trees with the hope of preserving as much as possible.

Phong added that for uprooted trees, the department would trim the branches, incubate them and use root stimulants to restore them.

However, he said, workers must also cut and transport trees or set them upright to promptly clear roads at the same time.

The department is coordinating with districts to direct a quick resolution of the issue.

Phong highlighted the fact that some of the city's most beautiful flowering trees, such as lagerstroemia and royal poinciana, are brittle and easily broken, as proven by this latest typhoon.

However, these trees can also be recovered and will be fully utilised to plant in parks and flower gardens to create beautiful landscapes and shade for Hà Nội.