Mumbai building collapses kills 1, lake overflows as rains lash city

On Saturday, Mumbai experienced severe monsoon rains, leading to the partial collapse of a residential building in the Grant Road area. The incident, which occurred around 11 am, resulted in the death of one woman and left 13 others injured. The affected building, known as Rubina Manzil, is a four-storey structure located near Grant Road Railway Station.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the collapse involved the balcony and slab sections of the second and third floors, along with parts of the upper four-storey structure. Some sections of the building were left hanging precariously. Emergency services, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, and ambulances, quickly responded to the scene. They worked to rescue at least seven to eight residents trapped on the top floor. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, one woman was declared dead at a local hospital, while the other injured individuals received medical treatment.

Mumbai's monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September, is crucial for replenishing the city's groundwater. However, the heavy rains also bring widespread destruction and disruption. The ongoing rainfall in Maharashtra has severely affected public transport services in Mumbai, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.

Overflow at Tulsi Lake

In addition to the building collapse, the monsoon rains have led to Tulsi Lake, one of Mumbai's key sources of potable water, overflowing. The lake, situated inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), began overflowing at 8:30 am on Saturday. This overflow is a positive development given the city's recent water shortages.

Tulsi Lake, which has a storage capacity of 804.6 crore liters, is the smallest of Mumbai's seven main reservoirs but supplies a significant portion of the city's daily water needs—approximately 1.8 crore liters. The lake's overflow is a hopeful sign for the city, as it contributes to replenishing other reservoirs like Vihar Lake, also located within SGNP.

Constructed in 1879 at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, Tulsi Lake has a rich history and remains a vital part of Mumbai's water supply system. The city relies on seven key reservoirs—Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Vihar, and Tulsi—to meet its daily water demands, which total around 3,800 million liters per day.