Falling palm trees cause panic in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah: Palm trees which fall over for no apparent reason are spreading panic among some residents in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Fisheries Section and other RAK departments have announced they will address complaints in the northern parts of Ras Al Khaimah and test palm trees - which are falling over.

Sources from those departments said experts will be despatched to examine some of the trees which have fallen in the northern parts of the emirate including Shamal, Al Rams and Khor Khowair. Residents in these areas have reported several cases where mature palm trees have suddenly fallen to the ground with no clear reason - spreading panic among residents who assume that red weevils must be behind the phenomenon.

The residents said they are worried such incidents could be tragic if a tree falls on passers-by or on vehicles. They have urged the departments to look into the issue and find out the reason for the falling trees which the residents have described as 'major losses'.

The residents added that the public eat from the trees on the streets and the trees beautify the areas. They said they get very upset when the palm trees fall to the ground.

Official sources said the issue has been discussed among the authorities who will be sending experts to find out the reasons for the phenomenon and that upon the report of those experts, the authorities will be taking measures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

The sources said several incidents had been reported in these areas and it has became a must to find out the reason behind it. In the past, palm trees in public areas have not been touched because of fears of red weevils and those which fall to the ground could have been infected. The sources said the phenomenon could be a result of other reasons and so the report of the team of experts who will examine the trees is essential in addressing this issue.

Residents of the northern areas of RAK said that several palm trees had fallen during heavy winds, and the reason for their fall was clear, but others had fallen down when there was no wind at all, which fuelled public suspicion that even those tress which had fallen during the wind could have fallen for other reasons.

The sources said that palm trees hold a special place in UAE heritage and the authorities will act accordingly and with no delay to find out the reasons and take all necessary measures to ensure no more palm trees are lost in such incidents.

The sources stressed the authorities will provide the palm trees with pesticides to fight all types of weevils which could have caused them to topple over.