Mussoorie, Aug. 22 -- A three-storey building collapsed into rubble near Indira Colony on Kempty Road in Mussoorie on Friday after land subsidence, triggered by incessant overnight monsoon rain, severely weakened the structure, officials said. However, a major tragedy was averted as more than five members of the affected family had been evacuated to safer locations hours before the collapse, officials said. The incident came to light on Thursday evening when land subsidence was noticed around the building and cracks began developing in the structure. Local authorities were alerted and, after an inspection, the building was considered unsafe. The occupants were directed to vacate the premises and shifted to safe locations during the night. Narayan Singh Rana, Nayab Tehsildar of Mussoorie, said the timely evacuation of the family prevented possible casualties. "The incident of land subsidence came to light on Thursday evening and, as a precautionary measure, more than five members of the family were evacuated to safe places the same night. Intermittent rainfall continued in the town early on Friday," Rana said. Residents living near the affected building said they rushed out of their houses after hearing a loud rumbling sound and found that the three-storey structure had collapsed completely. Ranbir Kandari, ward member of Indira Colony Ward No. 11, said cracks had started appearing in the building after the land beneath it began subsiding on Thursday evening. Local authorities were immediately summoned and the structure was subsequently declared dangerous. "After cracks started developing in the building due to land subsidence on Thursday evening, local authorities were summoned. Following an inspection, the building was deemed dangerous and the residents were directed to shift to safer places that night. Had this action not been taken, it could have resulted in a major tragedy," Kandari said. The affected family has moved into the houses of relatives, he added. Administrative teams secured the area after the incident and began assessing the damage and the condition of nearby structures. Amit Singh, a resident of Library Bazaar, said the continuing monsoon had increased the vulnerability of old and dilapidated structures in the hill town. "With continuous monsoon rains, it has become imperative to step up safety measures. The district disaster management authority should conduct urgent structural inspections of dilapidated buildings that pose a high risk in Mussoorie," he said. The building collapse was among several rain-related incidents reported across Uttarakhand during the past 24 hours. Light to moderate rain lashed most parts of the state, while isolated pockets witnessed heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds, triggering landslides, road blockages and incidents of land subsidence....