Sources said the house that collapsed in Kot Khalsa was newly constructed but had been weakened by incessant rain.

District fire Chief Tarlochan Singh said that firefighters had sprung into action as soon as the incident was reported. He added that it was high time that the Amritsar municipal corporation initiated action to identify weak buildings in the city.

“A majority of new constructions like the one at Kot Khalsa that collapsed due to yesterdays rain, are as prone to succumbing to the elements of nature as the old and unsafe edifices in the walled city area. Therefore, the need of the hour is to ensure that every building in the city is safe and strong enough to bear onslaughts of heavy rain and earthquake, “he said.

Municipal commissioner Dharampal Gupta said the MC was working hard to identify the unsafe buildings.

 

(HT)