Rains take life of 26 people in Punjab

Lahore:  At least 26 people including women and children died and over 30 sustained multiple injuries during different incidents of roof collapses in various districts of Punjab during current torrential downpour. According to the details; around 13 persons including three females succumbed to injuries when roofs of different homes caved in at different localities of the provincial capital. As per details, a roof of double storyed building caved in near Chah Miran area; Dhobi Ghaat, which resulted into instant death of six persons including three females namely Bilal; Aurangzeb, Muhammad Arshad, Sonia, Amna and Abeera.

Similarly, a roof of a house collapsed in GOR-2 resultantly two persons stuck under the debris. Rescue Service responded to the incident and extricated two bodies from the debris; one man also died after he suffered electric shock in Johar Town and another man also died due to roof collapse. According to the details, three persons died when a roof caved in of a house at Thokar Niaz Baig whereas one man died in house near Samanabad Roundabout. Meanwhile, one died and six sustained multiple injuries in two incidents of roof collapses in Faisalabad; four died and two were injured in Gujranwala pertaining to roof incidents  and five died and two sustained multiple injuries in road; wall and electric shock in Sialkot district. Moreover, one person died and two were injured in Chundowal village, whereas one died and 10 sustained multiple injuries during roof collapses incidents in Okara and Kasur areas. The rescuers, who responded to the incidents in Punjab, ascertained that mostly were dilapidated buildings with poor bases.

While expressing his concerns, DG Rescue Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer has advised the citizens to remove debris and extra weights from the rooftops of the houses besides strengthening bases of the homes by putting sands and mud around the walls to avoid collapses. He further said the citizens should remove electric wires or cover them properly to avoid electric shocks in monsoon season, as human lives are lost due to electric shock by touching the metallic wires. Dr. Rizwan Naseer further said the pedestrian and motorbikes riders should avoid speeding up the bikes as they can lost from their lives or injured lifetime by slipping on roads. He further said please dial emergency number “1122” in case of any emergency as timely call fetch timely response.

Meanwhile,Provincial Minister for Excise & Taxation and Finance Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman condoled with the heirs of the persons who were killed due to collapse of the roof of a house in Chah Miran as a result of heavy rains and said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh each will be given to the family of each deceased person while Rs.1 lakh will be paid to each injured person. While inspecting the affected areas in Chah Miran, the Minister directed district administration, WASA and Health authorities to ensure immediate disposal of rainwater from low-lying areas while the best treatment facilities be provided to the injured persons free of cost. The Minister also issued instructions to WASA and TMA officials to ensure drainage of water and cleanliness in the area.