Building Collapsed in Maharashtra’s Palghar
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have rescued 11 people. At the same time, the search operations remain underway for more trapped victims after a section of the building collapsed in Maharashtra’s Palghar.
A section of the Ramabai Apartment, a four-storey building in Virar East, Palghar district, collapsed late Tuesday night, claiming two lives and injuring several others, officials said Wednesday.
In the initial manual and canine search, four people were pulled out; one was declared dead on site, and three were rescued alive. Tragically, a one-year-old child succumbed while being transported to the hospital.
According to NDRF Deputy Commander Pramod Singh, “Two teams of the NDRF responded to the accident site–one from Mumbai and one from Palghar. As soon as the information was received at 12 am, the nearest team responded immediately.”
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1. Recent Tragedy: Ramabai Apartment Collapse (August 2025)
On August 27, 2025, a section of the Ramabai Apartment, a four-story residential building in Virar East (Palghar district), collapsed onto a nearby chawl. Rescue troops from the NDRF (two squads) and the local fire department responded quickly. Rescue teams rescued at least 11 people from the debris, some alive and others injured. Tragically, the incident claimed two lives, including a one-year-old child who died on the way to the hospital.
The fall occurred at midnight, with rescue personnel manually digging down the tiny passageway to reach potential survivors. The evacuation of nearby buildings was carried out as a precautionary measure.
2. Recent Pre-Monsoon and Rain-Related Incidents
- Ceiling plaster collapse (May 2025): In Virar East’s Gopcharpada, a falling ceiling plaster killed 35-year-old Lakshmi Singh and injured her 7-month-old child. The structure, built in 2014, has previously received structural audit notices from municipal officials.
- Slab collapses amid heavy rainfall (May 2025): A slab on the fourth level of Nalla Sopara’s Sai Simran building collapsed as a result of heavy rain. “Rescuers rescued a lady and her 14-year-old child, and they evacuated 22 flats and three stores.”
- Repeated slab failure (late May – early June 2025): A slab collapse in Merchant Apartment (MB Estate, Virar West) killed 54-year-old Alfiya Abbas Manaswala. The third occurrence in 11 days in Vasai-Virar has raised concerns about the structural safety of older residential buildings.
3. Recurring Patterns & Structural Risks
- Analyzing these occurrences reveals common threads:
- Weather-Driven Triggers: Many failures occurred during or following heavy rain or pre-monsoon showers, with rainwater weakening structural stability.
- Aging or illegally constructed structures: Several buildings received prior alerts, structural audit notices, or were ruled hazardous. Residents in one case resisted eviction due to displacement fees.
- Lack of Enforcement and Rescue Challenges: Despite being declared dangerous, enforcement was inconsistent, allowing for continuing occupancy. Narrow tunnels frequently impeded rescue operations, complicating response attempts.
4. Historical Context
Comparable calamities, such as the Thane building collapse in 2013 (which killed over 70 people), revealed systemic issues—illegal construction, bad oversight, and corruption. Large-scale collapses, such as the 2020 Mahad tragedy (12 dead) during the monsoon, highlight how seasonal rains worsen structural weaknesses.
5. Key Takeaways & Recommendations
| Issue | Implication |
| Weather-related damage | Intense rain promotes the breakdown of vulnerable structures. |
| Aging/unsafe buildings | Proactive audits and enforcement are required for at-risk structures. |
| Rescue constraints | Improved access and protocols are required for a timely response. |
| Enforcement gaps | Once a risk has been discovered, authorities must take decisive action. |
| Community awareness | Residents must understand evacuation and structural warnings. |
Recommendations:
- Immediate audits of at-risk buildings, particularly in monsoon-prone areas.
- Authorities will vigorously enforce evacuation instructions and give alternative housing assistance to displaced families.
- Public awareness campaigns about threats and how to respond in an emergency.
- Infrastructure modifications will increase emergency response access to structures.
Conclusion
The recurring tragedies in Palghar emphasize the critical need for systemic change and proactive administration. Only constant, coordinated action will avoid more human loss.
FAQs
Are these collapses linked to monsoon rains?
Yes. Many collapses occur during or shortly after heavy rainfall. Water penetration weakens concrete, causes slab failures, and jeopardizes structural integrity, especially in already fragile buildings.
What kind of buildings are at risk?
Buildings that are more than 20-30 years old and have received inadequate maintenance. Structures built without legal approval. Buildings ignored structural audit warnings. Buildings constructed using substandard materials