Residential Building Declared Unsafe After Sinking in Gulistan-e-Jauhar

A residential building, consisting of a ground floor plus four stories, located in Block 10 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, has been deemed hazardous after experiencing subsidence. Significant fissures have manifested in the structure’s walls and floors.

On Tuesday, personnel from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), law enforcement, rescue services, and the local government swiftly arrived at the scene to initiate the evacuation of residents.

According to law enforcement, the complex known as Yasir Terrace is made up of three buildings. Blocks C and D have been impacted, housing approximately 60 apartments with around 300 inhabitants. The ground floor of one of the buildings suffered a collapse, resulting in shattered windows and damaged balconies. Consequently, authorities commenced the removal of individuals and their possessions.

Residents reported that a nearby drain overflowed during recent rainfall, and the subsequent water flow led to the sudden appearance of cracks. The affected blocks were subsequently completely vacated. Many families are relocating to the homes of relatives or to other apartments owned by friends within the same residential complex.

Law enforcement officials have verified that SBCA teams are undertaking a thorough technical evaluation of the building. They stated that residents will only be permitted to recover their belongings or return to their apartments upon receiving authorization from the SBCA.

Later that day, the SBCA issued a closure order for Tower D of Yasir Terrace, Block 10, officially designating it as a “dangerous building.”

The order stipulated that the premises were sealed in accordance with the Sindh Building Control Ordinance of 1979-82. It also cautioned that any individuals attempting to trespass or breach the seals would be subject to prosecution under Section-19 of the ordinance or other legal penalties as applicable.