Breaking: Building Collapse in Ghatkopar Amid Heavy Rains – Rescue Ops Underway

Updated: June 19, 2025, 11:00 AM IST

What Happened

In the early hours of June 19, a portion of a ground‑plus‑three‑storey residential building in Rajawadi Colony, Ghatkopar East, gave way under the strain of unusually intense monsoon downpours. The collapse occurred at approximately 9:30 AM IST as rains inundated Mumbai, sending up clouds of dust and triggering a large‑scale emergency response. Several residents were trapped under the debris; as of this update, at least four individuals have been extricated by fire brigade and NDRF teams and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while search operations continue for others still missing mid-day.combusinesstoday.in.

Photo by Unsplash

Expert Analysis

“The monsoon’s intensity this season—over 20% above the 30‑year average—has significantly elevated hydrostatic pressures on aging structures,” explains Dr. Priya Anand, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at IIT Bombay (15 years’ experience). “Many pre‑1960s buildings weren’t designed for today’s rainfall extremes.” Profile →

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai recorded 132 mm of rain in the preceding 24 hours—well above the seasonal norm—which has led to widespread waterlogging and dozens of minor structural failures across the suburbs.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Location: Rajawadi Colony, Ghatkopar East—a mix of chawls and low‑rise apartment blocks.
2. Time: Collapse at ~9:30 AM IST during peak rainfall.
3. Response: Mumbai Fire Brigade, NDRF teams, BMC engineers, and local NGOs mobilized within 45 minutes.
4. Casualties: At least 4 rescued (2 critical), 3 still unaccounted for (as of 11:00 AM).
5. Infrastructure Concerns: The building was last certified “safe” in 2018; re‑inspection had been due this month.

Daily Digest: Monsoon Impact in Mumbai

• Flood Alerts: Orange alert for Worli and Cuffe Parade wards since June 18 – BMC advisory in place.
• Transit: Central and Harbour lines facing delays; 4 low‑lying roads remain submerged.
• Power: Sporadic outages reported in Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Chembur.
• Healthcare: 120 monsoon‑related admissions overnight (waterborne illnesses, slip‑and‑fall injuries).

What Happens Next?

• Ongoing Search: NDRF deployed thermal imaging drones; local volunteers assisting with crowd management.
• Structural Audit: BMC Commissioner has ordered immediate inspections of all “dangerous” buildings in Wards M and G.
• Relief Measures: Temporary shelters activated in nearby schools; hot meals & medical aid underway.

Residents are advised to avoid waterlogged zones, stay tuned to local traffic updates, and report any fresh cracks or seepages to BMC’s 24×7 helpline: 1916.

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