HMWSSB's open manhole swallows another toddler

Hyderabad: A 14-month-old boy fell into a manhole on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Tappachabutra’s Mahavee Yadavnagar in Hyderabad. The victim was identified as Deexith and was admitted to the Niloufer hospital.

According to the Tappachabutra sub-inspector N. Kondalu, Deexith’s father Tirupathi a native of Mahbubnagar’s Wanaparthy had shifted with his family to Hyderabad. He was engaged as a daily labourer. On Wednesday, at around 5:30 pm Deexith, who was playing with his brother fell inside the open manhole when his mother had gone to the washroom.

Kondalu said, “Around 20 to 30 families live in huts in Mahaveer Yadavnagar. Recently, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) set up three manholes for drainage. Of the three manholes, one is closed, and the other two which are to the left and right side of Tirupathy’s house are open.”

Talking to Newsmeter, Tirupathi said, “My son-in-law and a neighbour pulled Deexit out after he fell inside the manhole. The manhole has been open for the past 20 to 30 days. We complained to the concerned authorities, but they ignored our pleas. Now, my son is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Doctors say that the lungs are filled with water.”

An FIR was registered under IPC section 38 and investigation is on.