At least 12 people were killed and six others injured in three separate roof collapse incidents in Lahore overnight, emergency officials said on Wednesday.
Rescue 1122 teams responded to calls from Muridwal village, Mission Colony on Raiwind Road, and Kot Jamal early Wednesday morning. The collapses occurred during a period of sustained rainfall across the city.
According to Farooq Ahmed, spokesperson for Rescue Punjab, emergency calls were received at 1.51am from Muridwal, at 4.35am from Mission Colony, and at 4.52am from Kot Jamal.
In Muridwal village near Thokar Niaz Baig, five people died when the roof of a house collapsed. The deceased were identified as 60-year-old Manga, his wife Ishrat, 55, three-year-old Khadija, four-year-old Latifa, and 35-year-old Rani. Two people 30-year-old Faisal and five-year-old Bubbly were injured and shifted to hospital.
Read: Monsoon system strengthens as rain sweeps through major cities
In Mission Colony, three people died and one was injured. The deceased were identified as 70-year-old Nasreen, eight-year-old Meerab, and 80-year-old Basheer, while 21-year-old Fareed was rescued and hospitalised.
In the third incident at Kot Jamal, 35-year-old Basheer lost his life, while 32-year-old Nadeem, 29-year-old Sonia, and eight-year-old Daim were pulled from the rubble and taken to hospital.
Separately, in Mominpura on GT Road, a fourth roof collapse was reported. Three people, namely, 36-year-old Saleem Masih, 34-year-old Nusrat Bibi, and 14-year-old Sahil Masih, were confirmed dead.
Rescue 1122 said its Urban Search and Rescue Team was deployed to the site and used live locator technology in efforts to recover those trapped.
The Emergency Services Department, under the direction of Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer, has placed all districts on high alert amid continued rainfall.
Officials urged the public to avoid low-lying areas and ensure the safety of children. Citizens were also reminded to call Rescue 1122 promptly in any emergency.
PMD warns of flash floods, landslides as rain continues
The ongoing spell of monsoon rains has intensified across Punjab, triggering widespread disruptions in both urban and rural areas. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), record-breaking rainfall was recorded in several districts over the past 24 hours, including 217 mm in Sheikhupura, 170 mm in Okara, and 170 mm in Lahore.
The current third spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue until July 17. In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the PDMA has issued a high alert for all districts of Punjab. District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOCs) have been fully activated in coordination with the Provincial Control Room. WASA and municipal bodies have been instructed to deploy staff and equipment at all choke points to ensure timely drainage and avoid urban flooding in low-lying areas.
Read more: 'July wetter compared to last year'
According to the forecast, the downpour may trigger urban flooding, especially in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan. Windstorms could also damage structures such as electric poles, solar panels, and standing crops.
Monsoon rains continue across Pakistan, with very heavy downpours in northeastern Punjab pic.twitter.com/fJoi67kmGH
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) July 16, 2025
PDMA has urged citizens to avoid staying in old and dilapidated buildings, warning that several roof collapse incidents have already resulted in fatalities. According to the PDMA’s latest report, 77 people have died and 214 have been injured during the current monsoon season so far. In just the last 24 hours, 27 lives were lost and 46 people sustained injuries. Additionally, 74 houses have been damaged and six livestock animals killed.
Due to the potential flood threat, an alert has been issued for flash flooding in hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan Division. Significant rise in water levels is also expected in the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Indus. Moderate to low-level flooding is anticipated at major points including Mangla, Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed and PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia have directed all Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to remain present in the field and ensure that flood relief arrangements are in place. Emergency control rooms are being staffed around the clock, while Rescue 1122 disaster response teams remain on high alert
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