RAWALPINDI: After a roof collapse injured six people in Sarafa Bazaar on Monday morning, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has issued second notices to more than 100 owners of old and unsafe buildings in the city.
Talking to a newspaper, RMC Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali said that the civic body had surveyed old buildings and found many in dangerous condition. He said that notices were served to the owners, asking them to either repair or vacate the buildings, especially before the upcoming monsoon season.
On Monday, the roof of a house collapsed in Sarafa Bazaar, injuring six members of a family. Two were critically injured and shifted to the hospital, while others are in stable condition.
The Punjab government has also put all districts of Rawalpindi Division on high alert due to the risk of flooding during expected heavy monsoon rains.
According to RMC officials, the unsafe buildings are mostly located in Bohar Bazaar, Naya Mohallah, Lunda Bazaar, New Sarafa Bazaar, Chittian Hattian, Bhabara Bazaar, Nishtarabad, Chhachhi Mohallah, Allam Khan Road, Mohallah Niarian, Mohallah Waris Khan, Syed Puri Gate, Shah Chan Chiragh Mohallah, Talwaran Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Purana Qila, Raja Bazaar, Rani Bazaar, and Chowk Bansanwala.
Most of these buildings are occupied by low-income families who are unwilling to vacate without being given alternative housing.
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RMC Chief Imran Ali said action will only be taken against buildings that are in extremely poor condition. He also said residents living along Leh Nullah have been told to leave the buildings due to safety concerns.
Public Reaction
Abdur Rehman, a resident of Mochi Bazaar, said he has been living in the same building for 30 years and cannot afford repairs or rent elsewhere. He urged the government to offer financial assistance or loans.
Ahmed Siddiqui from Chittian Hattian called the notices a “routine matter,” saying RMC sends them every year but does not provide any solution. He also requested financial help for affected residents.
An RMC official, however, clarified, “We cannot offer financial help. Our job is to alert people about the dangers.”
He said heavy rains could lead to building collapses, putting nearby areas at risk. Notices have already been served to owners, asking them to take timely action.
Disaster Preparedness Meeting
Meanwhile, the Divisional Administration held a meeting of the Disaster Management Committee at the Commissioner’s Office in Rawalpindi. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Aamer Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema, Rescue 1122, PDMA officials, and others.
Deputy Commissioners of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Talagang were instructed to stay alert and complete all monsoon safety preparations.
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According to PDMA forecasts, Punjab is expected to receive 20 to 25% more rainfall than normal, while some northeastern areas including Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Okara, and Faisalabad could receive 40 to 60% more rain. There’s also a risk of flooding from River Chenab due to water release from India’s Salal Dam.
Local departments, including Wasa, were ordered to clean all drains and sewerage lines. Drainage pumps and machinery must be ready and placed in sensitive locations. Extra arrangements are to be made for Muharram procession routes and low-lying areas.
In separate incidents, a 45-year-old man drowned in a pond in Rawalpindi, while the body of another man was found near a drain in the Rawat area. Both bodies were shifted to hospitals for postmortem.
In another roof collapse incident near Lal Haveli in New Sarafa Bazaar, six people, including three women, were injured and shifted to the hospital.
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