Thane: A large tree collapsed onto two adjacent chawls near the crematorium in Balkum on Friday evening, damaging at least four rooms and injuring a woman, officials said. The Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) reported that the incident affected portions of T M Patil Chawl and Kotkar House Chawl.
Damage, evacuation and injury
According to the RDMC, the fallen tree struck a total of four rooms across the two chawls. At T M Patil Chawl, a portion of the roof sheets of Room No. 4 was damaged and the remaining sheets were declared precarious, prompting a temporary evacuation of that room. At Kotkar House Chawl, the roof sheets of Room No. 1 were extensively damaged and the rest of the roof was considered unsafe; that room was also vacated.
The RDMC identified the injured resident as Sarita Prajapati, 24, who lives in Room No. 1 at Kotkar House Chawl. She suffered injuries to her leg and shoulder and received immediate attention at the scene, the RDMC said.
"A woman was injured and multiple structures were damaged when a large tree fell on four rooms in two chawls near the crematorium," the RDMC said.
Municipal response and agencies on site
Fire brigade personnel reached the site with a fire vehicle, while staff from the RDMC arrived with a utility vehicle to assess structural safety and coordinate the evacuation. Personnel from the Tree Authority Department were also present to begin tree removal and evaluate risks to surrounding properties.
- Locations affected: T M Patil Chawl and Kotkar House Chawl, Balkum (Thane West)
- Rooms damaged: 4 (one at T M Patil Chawl, one at Kotkar House Chawl, and two additional rooms across the two chawls as reported)
- Injuries: 1 woman (leg and shoulder injuries)
- Response: Fire brigade, RDMC staff, Tree Authority Department
The RDMC said remaining roof sheets at the affected rooms were deemed dangerous, leading to precautionary evacuations. Officials inspected the structures to decide whether temporary shoring or more extensive repairs will be required.
| Chawl | Room affected | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| T M Patil Chawl | Room No. 4 | Portion of roof sheets damaged; remaining sheets unsafe |
| Kotkar House Chawl | Room No. 1 | Roof sheets extensively damaged; room vacated |
Local context and possible follow-up
Chawls in parts of Thane, including Balkum, often have older structures with light roofing that can be easily damaged when large trees fall. The involvement of the Tree Authority Department indicates officials will examine tree health and whether trimming or removal operations were overdue. The RDMC and TMC will determine next steps for repair, temporary accommodation if required, and any compensation or assistance for affected families.
Residents living near the crematorium and adjoining lanes said old and large avenue trees have been a feature of the area for decades; however, the RDMC did not provide an immediate assessment of the tree's age or cause of the fall. Removal and clearance work is likely to continue while municipal engineers decide on the structural safety of the chawls.
The incident underscores recurring concerns in the city about ageing trees, storm preparedness and maintenance of older residential buildings. The TMC maintains separate wings for the Tree Authority and disaster management, and officials typically prepare a report after such incidents to guide remedial work and preventive measures.
Further updates are expected once the Tree Authority completes its assessment and municipal engineers file a structural report on the damaged rooms, the RDMC said.
