Jabalpur, July 7 (IANS) A major tragedy was averted in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur on Tuesday evening when an old commercial building collapsed in the Bada Fuhara area amid heavy rain, with authorities attributing the absence of casualties to timely identification of the unsafe structure and its prior evacuation.

The collapse of the five-storey building in one of the city’s busy market areas triggered panic, but the administration’s preparedness ensured that no person was trapped under the debris.

Local BJP MP Ashish Dubey, who visited the spot, said the incident underlined the importance of identifying and removing risks posed by old structures, especially during the monsoon season.

He said it is fortunate that no casualties occurred, and that the district administration had identified this building as dangerous due to its old condition and the increased risks during the rainy season. The building was vacated before the collapse.

The building collapsed around 7.30 pm, after which police, the fire brigade, municipal officials, and ambulance teams immediately reached the site. The area was cordoned off, and rescue teams conducted searches to ensure no one was trapped.

He stated that the structure was being used for commercial purposes and stored business-related goods. It reportedly belonged to Raja Jain and Rakesh Jain, residents of the Kotwali area. The owners have been called by the administration, and details regarding the building’s condition and ownership are being collected.

Dubey said the administration acted promptly after receiving information about the collapse. He told IANS that police, municipal and rescue teams reached the spot immediately, and the administration is monitoring the situation and debris removal is being carried out while ensuring public safety.

The incident occurred at a time when monsoon activity has intensified across Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur witnessed heavy rainfall on Tuesday, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places in several districts, including Jabalpur, over the next 24 hours.

The collapse has brought renewed focus on the safety audits of old, vulnerable buildings in urban areas during the rainy season. Local administrations across cities have been identifying dilapidated structures and taking preventive measures to minimise risks.

–IANS

pd/dan