In a tragic incident during heavy rainfall, a 45-year-old woman, Vimal Anil Gaikwad, lost her life after falling into an overflowing drain in Andheri late last night. The Mumbai Police have filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR) while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The victim’s husband, who has registered a complaint with the police, expressed his anguish, stating, “I am a sick man; my wife used to take care of our house. We have lost everything, and I want those responsible to be punished.”
In response to growing concerns over negligence, the BMC has established a three-member committee led by Deputy Commissioner Devidas Kshirsagar to investigate the incident. Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Quality) Avinash Tambe will also be part of this committee, which has been tasked with submitting a report within three days.
The heavy rainfall that plagued Mumbai yesterday resulted in widespread disruptions, submerging rail tracks and major roads, and diverting at least 14 inbound flights. Amidst the downpour, Gaikwad fell into a manhole near Gate number 8 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation building in Andheri East. Emergency responders, including police and fire brigade personnel, rushed her to Cooper Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
This incident is not isolated, as at least seven other fatalities linked to manhole incidents have occurred in Mumbai this year alone. The situation has raised alarms about the alarming number of thefts of manhole covers, with 791 reported thefts in 2023, further jeopardizing public safety.
Sources By Agencies