6 Dead in Kalyan Roof Collapse Amid Heavy Rains Across Mumbai Region
At least six people were killed after a building roof collapsed in Kalyan on Tuesday evening amid a fresh wave of intense pre-monsoon rainfall that lashed Mumbai and surrounding regions. The incident occurred as heavy showers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds battered the city and its suburbs.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and key western suburbs like Andheri, Malad, Borivali, and Vile Parle, witnessed intense rainfall on Tuesday. The downpour brought relief from the recent heatwave but triggered waterlogging and disruptions in several parts of the city.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Navi Mumbai, forecasting heavy to very heavy showers till late evening. A Red alert was also issued for Nashik, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
Officials confirmed that six people were killed in a roof collapse incident in Kalyan, Thane district, amid the evening showers. Local rescue teams and disaster response personnel rushed to the site to recover bodies and clear the debris.
Details about the victims and the structure are yet to be confirmed. Preliminary reports suggest the building may have been structurally weak and further weakened by the heavy rainfall.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea as a low-pressure system is expected to form near Maharashtra and Goa from May 21.
“The sea is likely to remain rough between May 22 and 24 near Raigad, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and Palghar,” the CMO said in a statement, warning of strong winds and possible cyclonic activity.
In response to the intense rainfall, the Andheri subway was closed for vehicular movement due to waterlogging. Several users on social media posted videos of flooded streets, lightning storms, and thunderous weather conditions.
The IMD has also indicated that the monsoon may hit Mumbai ahead of schedule this year, possibly between May 27 and 29. Experts attribute the early onset to weakening El Niño conditions, which typically delay monsoons.
BMC officials have urged residents to begin monsoon preparedness activities, including clearing drains, staying indoors during thunderstorms, and reporting unsafe structures.
Citizens shared visuals of the intense lightning and flooding across the city. “Rain is raining today! Crazy lighting storms with LOUD thunder!” one user wrote, capturing the mood across Mumbai as the weather turned.
Mumbai typically sees its first monsoon showers around June 10. However, climate variability and oceanic conditions are advancing the timeline this year. The BMC has faced criticism in the past for monsoon-related delays in drainage clearance, leading to severe waterlogging.
