News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/20th July 2024
On Saturday, a tragic balcony collapse in Mumbai’s south area resulted in one death and three injuries as heavy rainfall continued to batter parts of Maharashtra. The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. when a section of the balcony of a four-storey residential building on Grant Road gave way. The building, known as Rubinnisa Manzil, is located near Sleater Road and the Grant Road railway station.
According to officials, the collapse was triggered by the building’s deteriorating structure combined with the relentless downpour affecting Mumbai. The building, which belongs to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), had previously been flagged as unsafe by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). A notice had been issued concerning its hazardous condition.
The collapse affected portions of the balcony and slabs on the second and third floors, and parts of the fourth-floor ceiling, leaving some sections precariously hanging. Emergency response teams promptly initiated rescue operations, and around thirteen individuals trapped inside the building were assisted by the fire department. While four people sustained injuries and were rushed to a local hospital, one woman, estimated to be around 70 years old, was pronounced dead upon arrival. The identities of the victims are yet to be fully disclosed.
Fire department officials confirmed that the deceased woman was a resident of the building, though her name has not been released. The three injured individuals are currently receiving medical treatment. Despite the urgency of the situation, seven to eight individuals remain stranded inside the partially collapsed structure as rescue efforts continue.
The heavy rains that contributed to this disaster have caused significant disruption throughout Mumbai and its suburbs. Areas like Sheetal Cinema and Kale Marg in Kurla experienced severe waterlogging, leading to traffic diversions. Similarly, traffic on the Aarey route in Goregaon East was rerouted via Seepz-Marol Maroshi-JVLR in both directions.
On a broader scale, Maharashtra has been grappling with intense rainfall. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chandrapur and an orange alert for Nagpur, Amravati, and Wardha districts, signaling continued heavy rain and potential hazards.
Fortunately, despite the widespread waterlogging, train and flight services in Mumbai remained unaffected. However, the situation highlights the urgent need for addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities, especially in older buildings, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The ongoing rescue operations and efforts to stabilize the affected building are critical to ensuring the safety of all residents. As Mumbai continues to deal with the challenges posed by heavy rainfall, the focus remains on managing the immediate aftermath of the collapse and providing support to those affected.
