Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): Heavy monsoon rains turned deadly in Mumbai on Sunday after a residential chawl in the Mankhurd locality collapsed, killing at least six people and injuring one. Rescue workers continued searching through the debris late into the night amid concerns that additional occupants could still be trapped beneath the fallen structure.
The incident took place in Janta Nagar, where the ageing multi-storey building suddenly gave way during persistent rainfall. Firefighters, police personnel, disaster response teams, and civic officials immediately reached the location and launched a large-scale rescue operation.
Officials said the rescue mission remained challenging due to unstable debris and continuous rain. Specialised equipment, including excavators and cutters, was deployed while emergency workers carefully searched for survivors.
Residents of the area said the building had shown signs of deterioration, and some families had reportedly vacated earlier after safety concerns were raised. However, several people were still present in or around the premises when the collapse occurred.
Authorities confirmed that children were among those who lost their lives in the tragedy, making the incident even more heartbreaking for the local community. The identities of the victims are being verified, while the injured person is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The building collapse occurred as Mumbai experienced one of its heaviest spells of rainfall this season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had placed the city under a red alert, warning of extremely heavy showers and the possibility of flooding and structural damage.
The severe weather disrupted daily life across Mumbai. Waterlogged roads slowed traffic, several trees were uprooted by strong winds, and flight operations at the city’s airport witnessed delays and diversions because of poor visibility.
Officials have ordered an inquiry into the collapse to determine whether negligence or structural failure contributed to the accident. The civic administration has also begun reviewing the condition of other ageing buildings in vulnerable neighbourhoods to reduce the risk of similar incidents during the ongoing monsoon.
Authorities have urged residents living in old or unsafe structures to follow evacuation advisories and report signs of structural damage immediately, as heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the coming days.
