LAHORE: Strong storms and rains left 37 people dead and 90 others injured across Punjab in the past 24 hours on Wednesday. A majority of casualties were due to roof collapse incidents, says Rescue 1122.

Life came to a halt due to flooding of residential areas, streets and major roads in the absence of a proper drainage system. Hours-long electricity suspension compounded the misery.

Five of a family died in a roof collapse in village Mureedwala in Thokar Niaz Beg area of Lahore. The deceased included Manga (60), Ishrat (55), Khadija (3), Latifa (4), and Rani (35). Two others — 30-year-old Faisal and 5-year-old Bubbly — were injured.

In Raiwind’s Mission Colony, three people died when a roof fell in. One person was killed and three injured in a similar collapse in Kot Jamal, Raiwind Road. On Mominpura Road in Baghbanpura, a roof caved in and claimed three lives. Two children also died of electric shock in Harbanspura.

Seven people lost their lives in different parts of Okara district, five in Sahiwal, four in Sheikhupura, three in TT Singh. In Faisalabad, roof collapse incidents killed four people.

In Chishtian, a mother and son were injured after their house roof caved in. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad said deaths were also reported from Pakpattan and Nankana Sahib. “Those seriously injured were immediately transported to hospitals,” he added.

The PDMA has issued a flood warning for those residing near Jhelum River which might be in “exceptionally high” flooding in Mangla. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that the injured were being provided with the best medical assistance, adding that assistance would also be provided to the families of the deceased.

RAIN: Sheikhupura recorded 217 mm of rain, Lahore 170mm, Okara 170mm, Sahiwal 80mm, Chichawatni 130mm, Hafizabad 90mm, Kasur 85mm, Faisalabad 60mm, Mandi Bahauddin 32mm, Jhelum 29mm during the last 24 hours, according to a PDMA spokesperson.

“More rains have been forecast in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Multan, DG Khan and Bahawalpur divisions. This series of monsoon rains will continue till Thursday (today), according to the PDMA DG, who directed all the relevant departments to remain alert.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of human life and directed institutions concerned to remove dangling electrical wires.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025