Even for a city inured to the fallout of such incidents because of the sickening frequency with which they occur, the August 17 building collapse at Shirley Rajan road in Bandra West has shocked people. A vacant building caved in and the rubble fell on a neighbouring structure. A 41-year-old man lost his life.

Incidents like these scare residents of Kakal building, which is adjacent to Bhanushali building at Ballard Estate, South Mumbai, that had caved in on July 16, resulting in several fatalities. Kakal residents say a portion of the collapsed building still hangs; it has not been completely demolished. They fear the portion might fall on Kakal any time, triggering a disaster.