At least nine injured as roof collapses in Lahore due to rain

All injured shifted to Lahore General Hospital; climate minister warns of more rain

LAHORE:

At least 9 people were injured in Lahore’s Shahdara Town and Azhar Town on Saturday as the city continued to witness record-breaking rainfall.

According to Rescue 1122, all injured were shifted to Lahore General Hospital. Victims include Afzal Malik 45, Sonia Afzal, 35, Ghulam Abbas, 36, Tania Abbas, 30, Kaneez Fatima, 7, Dua Fatima, 4, Sadia, 18, Alia, 13 and Amina Pervaiz, 13.

The death toll from the monsoon spell that triggered floods and landslides as well as collapsed roofs and walls up and down the country this month rose to 50 as at least six more deaths were reported in rain-related incidents from Punjab a day earlier.

Earlier this week, heavy rain in the provincial capital resulted in a critical situation when water overflowed from Canal Road and started entering low-lying areas.

The water began entering the localities of Mughalpura, Garden Town, Muslim Town Mor, Gulberg and Johar Town. The flow in the canal increased as rainwater caused its level to rise.

Read Rains raise water storage at major reservoirs

Officials in Lahore said that the country’s second-largest city had received record-breaking rainfall earlier this week, turning roads into rivers and leaving almost 35% population without electricity and water.

Minister warns citizens

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman took to Twitter to warn citizens and said heavy rains and associated risks are predicted for the weekend in Lahore and other cities in Punjab.

The minister further asked authorities to “enhance preparedness”.

Heavy rains and associated risks predicted for the weekend in Lahore and other cities in Punjab. @ndmapk has been providing regular early warnings to PDMAs and all stakeholders. Please enhance preparedness pic.twitter.com/xDLEkBl6bB

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) July 7, 2023

Extended spell

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said last week that the current rain spell would last until July 8 (today).

However, it said in an update on Friday that the rain would continue till July 10.

It predicted more rain in Lahore on Saturday (today) afternoon, while heavy rainfall nationwide in the days ahead, warning of potential flooding in riverine catchment areas.

Read more Riverine flooding alert as monsoon sets in

The PDMA said it was working on relocating people living along the waterways.