At least 12 killed, six injured in Lahore as rain lashes city

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. Heavy rain alerts remain in effect The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had issued weather alerts for July 16 and 17, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Punjab, including Lahore and Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Kashmir. 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. A well-marked low-pressure area currently lies over northeastern Punjab, supported by a westerly wave, bringing strong monsoon currents across central and upper Pakistan. The system is expected to persist over the next 24 to 36 hours. 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 PMD reported 123mm of rainfall at Lahore Airport and 72mm in the city, while Sheikhupura recorded a staggering 217mm and Okara 170mm among the heaviest in the province. Officials have urged the public to avoid exposed areas, ensure drainage safety around their homes, and promptly report emergencies.

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