Bhubaneswar: A 35-year-old man was swept away in an open stormwater drain near Vani Vihar during heavy rainfall on Saturday, prompting an intensive search and rescue operation by the fire services and police.
The missing man has been identified as Anil Singh, a ragpicker who lived in the nearby Patharabanda slum. According to eyewitnesses, Singh was walking beside a stormwater drainage channel when he reportedly slipped into the swollen drain. The powerful current, intensified by continuous rainfall since the morning, quickly swept him away.
The stretch of the drain where the incident occurred was reportedly left uncovered due to ongoing construction work for a park project, raising fresh concerns about public safety and the risks posed by exposed drainage infrastructure during the monsoon season.
Personnel from the Mancheswar Fire Services unit, along with local police, immediately launched a search and rescue operation. However, continuous rainfall and strong water currents have made rescue efforts extremely challenging.
Sulochana Das visited the site to assess the situation and review the ongoing rescue operation with officials.
The incident comes as Odisha continues to experience heavy monsoon showers under the influence of a low-pressure system, leading to widespread waterlogging and renewed concerns over urban flooding and the safety of open drainage systems in Bhubaneswar. Authorities have advised residents to avoid walking or driving near overflowing drains and waterlogged areas until weather conditions improve.
