An 18-year-old individual has gone missing after being swept away by rainwater while attempting to cross a drain in southeast Delhi’s Priyanka Camp area amidst heavy downpour. The incident has prompted a large-scale search operation by rescue teams and police.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the incident occurred on Friday evening near the Priyanka Camp Nala in Madanpur Khadar, within the jurisdiction of Sarita Vihar police station. The missing youth has been identified as Ankit, a resident of Bhim Colony.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a Police Control Room (PCR) call was received at the Sarita Vihar police station on Friday evening, alerting authorities to a youth being swept away in a drain. A police team was immediately dispatched to the scene.
Ankit’s friend, Manish, who was present at the time of the incident, informed the police that they were returning home from Noida when Ankit lost his balance and accidentally slipped into the drain. The strong current of the water then swept him away.
Following the incident, the police initiated a comprehensive search operation. They are being assisted by rescue teams from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and the Delhi Fire Service. Despite sustained efforts throughout Saturday, Ankit could not be located. The search operation remains ongoing.
The unfortunate event transpired as the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) experienced heavy rainfall, leading to widespread waterlogging and a significant increase in the water flow within drains and other water channels across several parts of the region.
The incident highlights the risks associated with navigating water bodies and urban infrastructure during intense weather events. Local authorities have been working to manage the aftermath of the heavy monsoon showers, which have also caused disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.
The Priyanka Camp area, like many other low-lying parts of Delhi, is susceptible to waterlogging during the monsoon season. The overflowing drains pose a constant threat, especially when rainwater levels rise rapidly. The swift current in the drain on Friday evening proved to be too much for Ankit, leading to the tragic event.
The families of the missing youth and residents of the area are anxiously awaiting any news of Ankit’s whereabouts. The continuous search effort by multiple agencies underscores the urgency and seriousness of the situation. The Delhi Fire Service and disaster management teams are employing various techniques to locate the missing individual, including the use of boats and other rescue equipment in the affected drains.
The monsoon season in Delhi often brings challenges related to drainage and water management. Incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the need for robust urban planning and maintenance of public infrastructure to mitigate risks during extreme weather. Authorities have been urged by residents to improve the condition and capacity of the drainage systems to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Chenab Times News Desk