Bhiwandi building collapse: Why pancake collapses make rescue operations deadlier, explains NDRF officer

The National Disaster Response Force conducting search and rescue operations in Bhiwandi on Friday. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Buildings that collapse in a pancake pattern or remain dangerously tilted after a structural failure make rescue operations extremely challenging, as victims can be trapped beneath multiple layers of debris with their exact location difficult to determine, with rescuers needing to work with extreme caution because of the risk of further collapse, says Deepak Tiwari, second-in-command (operations), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). mid-day spoke with Tiwari to know more.

Excerpts from the interview.

How many rescue ops in Maharashtra this monsoon?
Although the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had initially predicted below-normal rainfall this year due to the El Nino effect, Maharashtra has witnessed heavy rainfall at around 10 to 12 locations. As a result, the NDRF carried out intensive rescue operations across Maharashtra. In several places, we faced severe flooding, waterlogging and landslide situations, requiring rapid deployment of rescue teams and specialised equipment.

Which locations witnessed major rescue operations?
Significant flooding was reported from Palghar, Raigad, and Lonavala, among other locations. In Lonavala, NDRF teams rescued around 130 people stranded due to heavy rain and waterlogging. In Palghar, around 57 people were rescued from flood-affected areas. In another operation, about 23 people were evacuated, and two bodies were retrieved.

Deepak Tiwari, second-in-command (operations), NDRF

Can you tell us about the Bhiwandi building collapse operation?
The incident occurred on Friday at the four-storey Kohinoor Building, Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wada, Narpoli, Bhiwandi - an old structure undergoing redevelopment and repair work. The rescue operation continued for around seven hours before 10 bodies could be retrieved.

The main challenge was that most of the affected people were believed to be on the ground floor, but we did not know their exact location. The structure suffered a pancake-type collapse, in which the floors collapsed directly one over another, making search and rescue operations extremely difficult.

What was another major rescue op carried out by NDRF this season in Maharashtra?
Another significant operation was conducted at Moshi in Pune district after a three-storey building near the Moshi Garbage Depot was affected when a garbage mound collapsed against the structure. The rescue operation continued for nearly 30 hours. Initially, nine people were rescued alive within a very short time, while one body had been recovered during the early stages of the operation.

The structure had tilted forward in a cantilever position, making it highly unstable and creating serious risks for rescue personnel. In addition, the accumulated garbage also created an extra hazardextra hazard, making it difficult for our teams. We had to clear the debris carefully before proceeding with the search and rescue operation. Subsequently, a total of ten bodies were retrieved from the debris.

What are the major challenges in such urban rescue operations?
Operations involving collapsed buildings and unstable structures are always complex. The key challenges include locating trapped victims beneath multiple layers of debris. In cases such as Bhiwandi and Moshi, structural instability significantly slowed the rescue process and required continuous monitoring.

How prepared is the NDRF for the monsoon in Maharashtra?
NDRF teams are strategically stationed across Maharashtra to ensure a quick response to emergencies. A major deployment has been maintained in Nagpur, and additional teams were sent to Kolhapur, Satara, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Palghar, and other vulnerable districts depending on emerging flood situations.

Our teams remain alert during the monsoon period with equipment for flood rescue operations. The objective is to ensure rapid mobilisation whenever heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, structural-collapse incidents or any emergencies are reported anywhere in Maharashtra.