Hyderabad, July 29, 2026: A tragic incident was reported in Hyderabad’s Miyapur area after a 70-year-old man was swept away by rainwater into an open stormwater drain during ongoing drainage repair works near the Vaishali Nagar underpass. The incident occurred on Tuesday night amid heavy rainfall that lashed several parts of the city, leading to waterlogging and dangerous conditions on the roads.
The victim was identified as Balaiah, a resident of Prem Nagar in Hafeezpet. According to police, the underpass had been closed for several days to facilitate nala (stormwater drain) repair work. Preliminary investigations indicate that Balaiah accidentally stepped into the uncovered drain, which had become difficult to identify due to accumulated rainwater, and was carried away by the strong current.
Soon after receiving information about the incident, teams from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the Fire Department, police personnel, and municipal workers launched a large-scale rescue operation. Search teams inspected several stretches of the stormwater drainage network in an effort to locate the missing man. However, officials stated that the heavy flow of rainwater made rescue operations extremely challenging.
The incident sparked
concern among local residents and the victim’s family members, who alleged that the repair site lacked adequate safety measures. They claimed that proper barricades, warning signs, and protective coverings were either insufficient or missing around the open drain, raising serious questions about public safety during civic infrastructure works. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether negligence played a role and said the matter will be examined as part of the investigation.
The tragedy occurred as Hyderabad continued to experience heavy monsoon rainfall for the second consecutive day. Several areas across the city witnessed severe waterlogging, overflowing drains, and traffic congestion, increasing the risk of accidents involving uncovered manholes and open drains. Civic authorities urged residents to avoid walking through flooded streets, as submerged hazards may not be visible beneath the water.
