The victim, identified as Aslam Sheikh, accidentally fell into the manhole during the rain. People nearby immediately tried to rescue him and alerted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and emergency services.
Soon after receiving the information, teams from the BMC, fire brigade and police reached the spot and launched a rescue operation that continued for nearly two hours.
According to officials, the manhole was around 20 to 25 feet deep, and rainwater was flowing through it at a very high speed. Rescue teams made repeated efforts to locate and save Aslam Sheikh, but they were unsuccessful.
Fire officials later recovered him from another manhole, located nearly 100 metres away from the place where he had fallen. He was found unconscious and was declared dead.
Fire Officer A. V. Sonawane said the strong flow of water inside the drainage system carried the victim nearly 100 metres before he was located during the rescue operation.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions. Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi held the BMC Commissioner responsible for the tragedy and demanded his resignation. Former Mayor Kishori Pednekar also called for strict action against those found responsible.
The Sakinaka incident has once again raised concerns about public safety during the monsoon, with questions being raised over the condition of manholes and drainage infrastructure in Mumbai.
With heavy rainfall expected to continue over the next few days, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious while travelling through waterlogged areas and avoid walking on flooded roads where open manholes may not be visible.
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