In a tragic series of events, at least 17 people have lost their lives and 49 others sustained injuries as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in various parts of Punjab, Pakistan.
The incidents, primarily caused by roof and wall collapses, occurred over the course of two consecutive days.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) provided details of the casualties.
In Lahore, four individuals, including three children under the age of 10, were killed when the roof of a house near the Bandianwala bridge in the Amar Sidhu area collapsed due to the relentless rainfall.
Additionally, 14 people were injured as a wall of the Government Mozang Teaching Hospital collapsed, prompting their transfer to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
The PDMA reported six deaths in Gujranwala after a weak wooden structure within a three-story house collapsed. Similar, incidents claimed the lives of three individuals each in Chakwal and Sheikhupura, while one person each lost their life in Jhang and Faisalabad.
The PDMA further stated that 32 individuals across the province suffered severe injuries in rain-related incidents and were currently receiving medical treatment at hospitals.
Rainfall measurements provided by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Monsoon Control Room indicated the highest precipitation at the Nishtar Town director office in Lahore, recording 65mm.
This was followed by 57mm at the Johar Town SDO office and 38mm at Lakshmi Chowk. Conversely, the areas with the least rainfall were Upper Mall at 3.5mm, the Mughalpura SDO office at 5mm, and the airport area at 5.5mm.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured the public that the situation was under control.
He revealed that eight secretaries were assigned to monitor each Wasa zone, while ministers were allocated divisions and sent to divisional headquarters.
Naqvi also acknowledged the flood alert issued for the province and emphasized that the administration, including commissioners and deputy commissioners, were actively addressing the situation.
Previously, on Wednesday, nine individuals lost their lives due to electrocution, roof collapses, drowning, and lightning incidents across Punjab.
Authorities have issued warnings about the potential for urban floods, flash floods, and landslides in several areas. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts heavy rainfall from July 6 to 8 in various cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Peshawar, and others. Vulnerable regions such as Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also at risk of landslides. The PMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre for Lahore has specifically cautioned about the possibility of land sliding and flash flooding in vulnerable areas of Punjab and Kashmir, as well as urban flooding in major cities across Punjab until July 9.
