Days of relentless monsoon rain have thrown normal life out of gear across the Thane region, triggering widespread flooding, structural collapses, and emergency evacuations. From inundated neighbourhoods and stranded residents to crumbling residential buildings, civic agencies remained on high alert as they responded to dozens of rain-related emergencies. With more heavy rainfall forecast over the next two days, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, especially those living in old or vulnerable structures.
The Thane Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) received 93 complaints in the past 24 hours. The incidents included 24 tree falls, 22 fallen branches, 24 cases of waterlogging, eight compound wall collapses, and one landslide.
Flooding affected several low-lying areas in Thane city, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai, leaving many residents stranded as rainwater entered homes and streets. In parts of Ulhasnagar, people remained trapped in floodwaters for over 48 hours. Some residents blamed poor pre-monsoon desilting and inadequate cleaning of stormwater drains for worsening the flooding.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall across the region over the next two days.
One of the most serious incidents occurred late at Tiwari Bhavan, a 45-year-old residential building in Kisan Nagar-3, Wagle Estate. A portion of the first-floor enclosed gallery suddenly collapsed after days of continuous rainfall, sending debris onto the road below.
Two passersby were injured in the incident. Sixty-five-year-old Noori Islam Sheikh suffered injuries to her head, shoulder, and leg and was admitted to Ashtavinayak Hospital for treatment. Suresh Thapa, 36, sustained minor head injuries.
Following the collapse, teams from the Disaster Management Department, Fire Brigade, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), police, the Public Works Department, and the Wagle Ward Committee reached the site. The building was evacuated as a precaution, and the surrounding area was cordoned off while engineers worked to secure the damaged structure before conducting a detailed inspection.
The building consists of three shops on the ground floor, a few unused rooms on the upper floors, and a terrace flat occupied by one family. The family has been temporarily shifted to Thane Municipal Corporation School No. 23 until the structure is declared safe.
Another structural failure was reported on Saturday night, July 4, at the five-storey Avighna Co-operative Housing Society in Shahbaz Village, Belapur, where a first-floor balcony slab collapsed.
Although no injuries were reported, authorities evacuated all 17 flats in the building as a precaution. Power supply to the building was disconnected, and the premises were sealed. Most residents were shifted to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's Warkari Bhavan, while others stayed with relatives.
On Sunday afternoon, July 5, a staircase slab collapsed at Datt Nivara Society, a ground-plus-two-storey residential building in Sabegaon, Diva West.
Rescue teams safely evacuated five residents, and no injuries were reported. Officials later confirmed that the building had been secured and further inspections would be carried out.
Thane city recorded 184.66 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday. The cumulative rainfall for the current monsoon season has reached 948.71 mm, only slightly below the 959.81 mm recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, a separate building collapse in Mumbai's Mankhurd area on Sunday evening also prompted a rescue operation by civic authorities.
The latest incidents have once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of aging residential buildings during the monsoon. Continuous rainfall often weakens old structures, increasing the risk of partial or complete collapse.
Authorities have urged residents living in old or dilapidated buildings to immediately report visible signs of structural damage and cooperate with safety inspections as heavy rain is expected to continue over the coming days.
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