Rajkot Man Dies as Dilapidated House Collapses During Heavy Rain

A 45-year-old daily-wage labourer died after his dilapidated house collapsed during heavy rainfall in Rajkot, Gujarat, late on Saturday night. The incident occurred in the Raval Chowk locality near Ramji Mandir in the city's Thorala area. The victim, identified as Ajay Beladara, had continued living alone in the unsafe structure despite repeated warnings from family members, who had already moved out due to concerns over its condition.

According to police, the accident took place at around 11.30 pm when a portion of the ageing house suddenly gave way, trapping Beladara beneath the debris. Local residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene and rescued him from the rubble before shifting him to Rajkot Civil Hospital. Despite receiving medical treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

Sub-Inspector T.D. Jadeja said the city had experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday night, which is believed to have contributed to the collapse of the weakened structure. Preliminary investigations suggest the house was already in a dilapidated condition and may have become further unstable due to the persistent rain. Authorities are examining the exact cause of the collapse as part of their inquiry.

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Police said Beladara's family had repeatedly urged him to vacate the house after parts of the structure had collapsed on earlier occasions. Concerned about the safety of the building, his family members had shifted to another location. However, Beladara reportedly chose to remain in the house alone, believing he needed to guard the property despite the obvious risks posed by its deteriorating condition.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by ageing and unsafe residential buildings, particularly during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall can significantly weaken already fragile structures. Civic authorities routinely advise residents living in dilapidated buildings to relocate temporarily until repairs or demolition can be carried out to prevent such tragedies.

Police have registered a case of accidental death, and further investigation is underway. Officials have appealed to residents occupying structurally unsafe buildings to heed safety advisories and evacuate when instructed by authorities. They also urged property owners to carry out timely structural assessments and necessary repairs to minimise the risk of similar incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.

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