At least eight people lost their lives in separate roof collapse incidents in Lahore on Wednesday, as relentless monsoon rains pounded the provincial capital and other parts of Punjab.
The heavy downpour, which began early in the morning, triggered two deadly roof collapse incidents in the Thokar Niaz Baig and Kot Jamal Pura areas of Lahore. Rescue officials confirmed that five people—including two women, two girls, and an elderly man—died in the Maridwal locality of Thokar Niaz Baig when a residential roof caved in.
Urban Search and Rescue teams, assisted by live locators, were swiftly deployed to trace survivors trapped under the debris.
In a separate incident, a roof collapsed in the Kot Jamal Pura area along Raiwind Road, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to another. The bodies and the injured were subsequently shifted to THQ Hospital Raiwind.
Record-Breaking Rainfall Submerges Lahore
According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Lahore’s Paniwala Talab recorded an astonishing 171mm of rainfall—the highest so far this monsoon, followed closely by Iqbal Town at 169mm. Other areas, including Samanabad, Tajpura, and Lakshmi Chowk, also received over 100mm of rain.
Major thoroughfares such as Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, and Gulberg were submerged, severely disrupting traffic flow. In Johar Town’s Board of Revenue Society, rainwater inundated residential buildings, prompting urgent drainage measures.
Drainage Efforts Underway Across Low-Lying Areas
Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Syed Musa Raza, along with WASA officials, visited waterlogged areas near Gaddafi Stadium. He directed immediate drainage work and instructed all assistant commissioners to personally supervise relief operations in their respective areas.
“All WASA staff and district administration teams are actively engaged in drainage efforts,” stated Mr. Raza. Authorities also urged residents to avoid contact with electrical wires during the downpour to prevent accidents.
Despite the widespread flooding, the Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell reported that all underpasses in the city had remained clear and accessible throughout the day.
Rains Lash Other Punjab Cities
Beyond Lahore, intermittent rain was reported in Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Mian Channu, Sargodha, Sialkot, and Gujrat.
In Faisalabad, torrential rain led to widespread power outages. Similar disruptions were experienced in Arifwala. In Sheikhupura, rainwater entered homes in Shah Colony and Ghang Road, causing distress to local residents.
Tragically, a woman in Pakpattan lost her life after being electrocuted during the rain, adding to the region’s weather-related fatalities.
Air Travel Affected Due to Poor Visibility
The stormy conditions also caused significant delays in air travel. At Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, three incoming flights—including PIA flights from Jeddah and Dubai, and a foreign airline—were instructed to hold in the air due to low visibility and adverse weather.
PDMA Issues Statewide Alert
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued alerts to all deputy commissioners across Punjab, instructing them to activate emergency protocols and remain on high alert. The current wet spell, according to the Meteorological Department, is expected to continue until July 17.
As rescue and relief efforts persist in affected localities, authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary movement and stay indoors until conditions improve.
