Cheruvathoor: Anyone travelling from Cheruvathoor to Cheemeni these days can be seen silently praying for clear skies and calm weather. For, just one gust of wind could spell disaster. A massive tree, precariously leaning over the roadside near the petrol pump at Cheruvathoor, stands ready to fall even at the slightest disturbance.

Locals have been urging authorities to remove the tree since last year, but no action has been taken, not even a visit to assess the risk. The soil around its roots is severely upturned and unstable and if this tree is uprooted at night, it is likely to cause a major tragedy. This is the main road used by vehicles heading from Cheruvathoor to the Cheemeni region and students from the nearby Technical High School also walk along this stretch.

If the authorities continue to ignore the situation, it’s only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.