Dilapidated buildings imperil lives in rainy spells

Light rain sends roof crashing over family’s head, killing a minor

LAHORE: Year in and year out, dozens of people lose their lives as dilapidated buildings in the provincial capital come crashing down over their heads. These structures become particularly hazardous during the monsoons and alarm bells have been sent ringing with more heavy rains predicted in the coming days.

Regardless, divisional authorities are yet to show any meaningful direction when it comes to policy for such structures. Observers say that the district administration of Lahore also becomes lax after performing its basic responsibility of sending notices to owners of such buildings. Meanwhile, the death toll from roof and building collapses continues to rise.

The Express Tribune has collected the numbers of these dangerous buildings in the provincial capital and it has been revealed that 2,241 structures are barely-standing death traps. Each year, the administration issues demolition notices to the owners of these buildings merely as an exercise to show that officials are fulfilling their duties.

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Perhaps most perturbing is the fact that the Punjab government has not formed a permanent policy on dilapidated buildings and houses. A survey revealed that most dilapidated buildings are subject to property disputes or the owners lack the resources to reconstruct them after demolition.

Some experts have suggested that the government launch a scheme through which the owners get government loans from the House Building Finance Corporation for demolition and reconstruction in order to save lives.

Of the 2,241 dilapidated buildings in the Lahore division, more than 1,100 are in the provincial capital. Most of the buildings are under the Walled City of Lahore Authority and their number is 989. A mere 167 dangerous buildings have been demolished and just 248 renovated.

When asked about the lack of a permanent policy, Lahore Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi tells The Express Tribune that authorities are using all resources at their disposal to minimise human or financial loss. He claims cases have also been filed against owners of dangerous houses.

“However, most people remain in these houses after obtaining court orders.” He also maintains there should be a permanent policy to demolish dangerous buildings so that inhabitants are compelled to vacate the properties or obtain loans for reconstruction/renovation.

Rain-related incidents

Proof that certain buildings are in major need of attention is the fact that a minor was killed and three of a family injured when a roof collapsed in South Cantonment on Friday.

The incident occurred at Naqeeb Chowk in Gulshan Colony of Nadirabad. The victims were inside the house when it suddenly caved in. The victims were trapped under the debris and locals called rescue teams, which reached the spot and removed the debris.

They also recovered the victims and shifted them to the Lahore General Hospital for treatment. However, doctors announced that a minor, identified as Huzaifa Sami, 2, was dead on arrival. The injured were identified as Sami Nazeer, 22, Maqbool, 25, and Salma Bibi, 50.

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According to initial investigations, the roof was made of mud and wood. It caved in after light rain fell for a few minutes.

The recent monsoon rains have wreaked havoc and a number of fatal incidents have been reported in roof or building collapses. During the last week of July, three minor siblings were killed and two were injured in such an incident in the Daroghawala of Mominpura in Mughalpura.  The incident occurred at midnight when a couple and their eight children were asleep in a one room house. The roof suddenly caved in, killing Khurram, 6, Haroon, 8 and Saneha, 10. The incident occurred because the victims were living in a dilapidated house which was on low rent.

A day earlier, a couple in Hayer died and three others were injured when the roof of a house caved in after rain. The deceased were identified as Manzooran Bibi and Manzoor. The injured included Raza, 5, Zahida Batool, 13, and Atta Muhammad, 27.

Also last month, , seven members of a family, including four minors, died in a roof collapse in Kot Abdul Malik, Sheikhupura.

On Friday, light rain in was reported in scattered areas of the city, while others remained dry. Areas where relatively heavy rain was reported included Chungi Amr Sadhu and its surroundings.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2019.