Thane (Maharashtra):  As many as 81 families have been shifted from three "dangerous" buildings in Bhiwandi in the district by the civic authorities after columns of the structures developed cracks, officials said on Thursday.

"Cracks were noticed on the columns of three dangerous buildings in the wee hours today and the civic officials were alerted. Around 81 families were shifted to a community centre and other places managed by the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation," Corporation's spokesperson Sunil Zalke told PTI.

The buildings, housed in Noor Complex of Nagaon area, were constructed in 2011, he said.

On July 31, eight persons were killed and 22 others injured when a residential building collapsed in Bhiwandi amid heavy rains.

Similarly on August 8, eight more persons were killed when a two-storey "most dangerous" building collapsed in the power-loom town.

"As of now, the civic body will not pull the buildings down but instead ask its owner to conduct a structural audit. After the audit, a suitable decision will be taken," Zalke said.